Program, Information Processing Method, Terminal

Abstract

A program, an information processing method, a terminal, etc. are provided that improve the convenience of searches based on chat room displays. [Solution] In a communication system, a program executed by a terminal that displays a chat room containing content sent and received at least to a first terminal performs the following operations: displays the chat room on the display unit of the terminal based on input to the terminal; displays on the display unit a first area into which a search term is entered and first information that is stored in association with the user of the terminal and is used to display search results searched based on the input of the search term into the first area; and displays on the display unit search results based on input by the user of the terminal to the first information stored in association with the user of the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, an information processing method, a terminal, etc.

Background Art

[0002] There is a service (for example, a messaging service) for content exchange between accounts. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for distributing advertisements using an official account.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a program executed by a terminal that displays a chat room including content transmitted and received at least with a first terminal causes the terminal to display the chat room on a display unit of the terminal based on an input to the terminal, display a first area where a search term is input, and first information that is stored in association with a user of the terminal and that is used to display search results retrieved based on the input of the search term to the first area on the display unit, and display the search results on the display unit based on an input by the user of the terminal to the first information stored in association with the user of the terminal. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an information processing method of a terminal that displays a chat room including content transmitted and received at least between a first terminal includes: based on an input to the terminal, displaying the chat room on a display unit of the terminal; displaying on the display unit a first area where a search term is input, and first information that is stored in association with a user of the terminal and is for displaying search results retrieved based on the input of the search term into the first area; and based on an input by the user of the terminal to the first information stored in association with the user of the terminal, displaying the search results on the display unit. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a terminal that displays a chat room including content transmitted and received at least between a first terminal includes: a display unit that displays the chat room based on an input to the terminal; a first area where a search term is input; and a control unit that performs control to display on the display unit first information that is stored in association with a user of the terminal and is for displaying search results retrieved based on the input of the search term into the first area, and the control unit performs control to display the search results on the display unit based on an input by the user of the terminal to the first information stored in association with the user of the terminal. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a terminal that displays a chat room including content transmitted and received at least between a first terminal includes a processor that reads a program from a memory and executes processing based on the program, and the processor executes: based on an input to the terminal, displaying the chat room on a display unit of the terminal; displaying on the display unit a first area where a search term is input, and first information that is stored in association with a user of the terminal and is for displaying search results retrieved based on the input of the search term into the first area; and based on an input by the user of the terminal to the first information stored in association with the user of the terminal, displaying the search results on the display unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006] <Compliance with Legal Matters> It should be noted that the disclosure described in this specification is based on the premise of compliance with the legal matters of the country of implementation required for the implementation of the present disclosure, such as communication secrecy.

[0007] <Embodiment> In this specification, there are places described as "by way of example and not limitation" for easy understanding. However, it should be noted that not only the relevant places but also the entire content of the embodiments described below are not limited to the described content.

[0008] Embodiments for implementing the program and the like according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First, the system can be configured to have a plurality of devices, by way of example and not limitation. The plurality of devices may be a combination of the same type of devices, a combination of different types of devices, or a combination of the same type of devices and different types of devices. Note that the system can also be considered, by way of example and not limitation, as something in which a plurality of devices cooperate to perform some processing.

[0010] In addition, a system related to a client (client device) and a server can be considered as at least any one of the following, by way of example and not limitation. (1) Terminal & Server (2) Server (3) Terminal

[0011] (1) is, by way of example and not limitation, a system including at least one terminal and at least one server. An example of this is a client-server system.

[0012] The server is, by way of example and not limitation, composed of the following devices, and may be a single device or a combination of multiple devices.

[0013] Specifically, the server is, by way of example and not limitation, configured to have at least one processor (by way of example and not limitation, CPU: Central Processing Unit, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, APU: Accelerated Processing Unit, DSP: Digital Signal Processor (by way of example and not limitation, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.), a computer device (processor + memory), a control device, an arithmetic device, a processing device, etc., and may be configured to include a plurality of the same type of any one device (by way of example and not limitation, CPU + CPU, homogeneous multi-core processor, etc.), or a configuration including a plurality of different types of any one device (by way of example and not limitation, CPU + DSP, heterogeneous multi-core processor, etc.), or a combination of multiple devices (by way of example and not limitation, processor + computer device, processor + arithmetic device, a combination of multiple devices made heterogeneous, etc.). Note that the processor may be a virtual processor.

[0014] Also, when the server executes some processing, if it is composed of a single device, the processing described in the embodiments is executed by the single device. Also, when it is composed of a plurality of devices, some processing may be executed by one device and the other processing may be executed by the other device. By way of example and not limitation, when it is composed of a processor and an arithmetic unit, the first processing may be executed by the processor and the second processing may be executed by the arithmetic unit. Also, when it is composed of a plurality of devices, each device may be physically arranged at a separate location.

[0015] Also, the functions of the server may be provided, by way of example and not limitation, in the form of PaaS, IaaS, or SaaS in cloud computing.

[0016] Also, the control unit of the system can be at least one of the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server. That is, by way of example and not limitation, any one of (1A) only the control unit of the terminal, (1B) only the control unit of the server, and (1C) both the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server can be the control unit of the system.

[0017] Also, the control and processing performed by the control unit of the system (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control, etc.") may be performed (1A) only by the control unit of the terminal, (1B) only by the control unit of the server, or (1C) by both the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server. Also, in (1C), by way of example and not limitation, some of the control, etc. performed by the control unit of the system may be performed by the control unit of the terminal, and the remaining control, etc. may be performed by the control unit of the server. In this case, the allocation (assignment) of the control, etc. may be equal or may be assigned at different ratios rather than equally.

[0018] In the case of the communication unit of the server, when the server is composed of a single device, it may be the communication unit itself provided by the single device. Also, when the server is composed of a plurality of devices, the communication unit of the server may be configured to include each communication unit provided by each device. By way of example and not limitation, when the server includes a first device and a second device, the first device has a first communication unit, and the second device has a second communication unit, the communication unit of the server may be conceptually regarded as including the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

[0019] (2) By way of example and not limitation, a system composed of a plurality of servers (hereinafter referred to as a "server system") can be used. In this case, the above-described configuration can be similarly applied to the configuration of each server.

[0020] The control and the like performed by the server system may be performed by only one of the plurality of servers ((2A)), may be performed by only other servers ((2B)), or may be performed by one server and other servers ((2C)). Also, in (2C), by way of example and not limitation, a part of the control and the like performed by the server system may be performed by one server, and the remaining control and the like may be performed by other servers. In this case, the allocation (assignment) of the control and the like may be equal, or may be assigned at different ratios instead of being equal.

[0021] (3) By way of example and not limitation, a system composed of a plurality of terminals can be used. This system can be, by way of example and not limitation, the following system. · A system (distributed system) in which the functions of the server are provided in the terminal. This can be realized, by way of example and not limitation, using blockchain technology. · A system in which terminals communicate wirelessly with each other. This can be realized, by way of example and not limitation, by performing communication in a P2P (peer-to-peer) manner using short-range wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth.

[0022] Note that the above applies not only to the control unit, but also to each functional unit such as an input / output unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a clock unit that can be components of the system.

[0023] In the following embodiments, by way of example and not limitation, a system including a terminal and a server (by way of example and not limitation, a client-server system) will be exemplified. Note that it is also possible to apply the server system of the above (2) as the server.

[0024] Further, instead of a system including a terminal and a server, it is also possible to apply a system that does not include a server, by way of example and not limitation, the system of the above (3). The embodiments in this case can be configured based on the above-described blockchain technology or the like. Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the data stored and managed in the server described in the following embodiments is stored (stored) on the blockchain. Then, when the terminal generates a transaction to the blockchain and the transaction is approved on the blockchain, the data stored on the blockchain can be updated.

[0025] Note that even when expressed as a terminal, this is not limited to the meaning of a terminal as a client device in a client-server. That is, the terminal may also include the concept of a device that is not in a client-server.

[0026] Also, in this specification, the expression "by the communication I / F" is used as appropriate. By way of example and not limitation, this may indicate that the device transmits and receives various types of information and data via the communication I / F (via the communication unit) based on the control of the control unit (such as a processor).

[0027] In addition, with regard to the terms described as "relating to" or "associated with" in this specification, by way of example rather than limitation, in the case of "B relating to A" or "B associated with A", "B" having some relationship with "A" may be meant. This specific example will be described later.

[0028] In addition, in this specification, when an apparatus performs processing on two or more objects, such as "transmitting A and B" or "receiving A and B", it may include both those that perform "A" and "B" in synchronization (hereinafter referred to as "simultaneously") and those that perform "A" and "B" with a time shift (hereinafter referred to as "non-simultaneously"). By way of example rather than limitation, in the case of transmitting first information and second information, both concepts of transmitting the first information and the second information in synchronization and transmitting the first information and the second information with a time shift may be included. Note that considering a lag (time lag), "simultaneously" may include "substantially simultaneously".

[0029] Note that even if it is said that "A" and "B" are performed with a time shift, this is only required to be something that performs processing on "A" and "B", and their purposes do not necessarily have to be the same. By way of example rather than limitation, in the case of transmitting first information and second information as described above, it is only necessary to transmit the first information and the second information, and it may include cases where the first information and the second information are transmitted for different purposes in addition to cases where the first information and the second information are transmitted for the same purpose.

[0030] In the following embodiments, as an example of a service for a user to perform a chat (hereinafter referred to as a "chat service"), a messaging service is exemplified. In addition, an application for realizing a chat service is referred to as a "chat application", and an application for realizing a messaging service is referred to as a "messaging application". In a chat application, by way of example and not limitation, it can be enabled for users to chat in a chat room.

[0031] Note that the messaging service: MS (including the instant messaging service: IMS) can also be considered as one form of the social networking service: SNS. Therefore, it may or may not be necessary to distinguish between the messaging service and the social networking service. That is, the messaging service may be included in the social networking service.

[0032] Also, in the following embodiments, as an example of the messaging service, the instant messaging service: IMS (Instant Messaging Service) that transmits and receives content in the form of a simple message between a plurality of devices (by way of example and not limitation, terminals) via a server is exemplified. In an instant messaging application, by way of example and not limitation, it can be enabled for users to talk in a talk room.

[0033] A chat room (by way of example and not limitation, a talk room) can be a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphical User Interface) through which each user can view the content transmitted and received between the terminals of a plurality of users.

[0034] Also, the talk room can include a one-on-one user talk room (hereinafter referred to as the "one-on-one talk room"), a group talk room including a plurality of users (hereinafter referred to as the "group talk room"), a talk room with a user of an official account (hereinafter referred to as the "OA talk room"), and the like.

[0035] The official account is an account of an operator user rather than a general user. The user of this official account can also, without limitation and by way of example, use a terminal similar to that of a general user to send and receive messages with other devices via a server.

[0036] In this specification, the content may be information transmitted from a transmission source to a transmission destination. Also, the content may be one or more contents.

[0037] The content may include, without limitation and by way of example, text content in text format, image content in image format (including at least one of still images and moving images), audio content in audio format (including voices), and the like. In addition to this, operation content such as buttons and icons for user operations and link content such as link information (including, without limitation and by way of example, URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers), etc.) may also be included.

[0038] The text may include, without limitation and by way of example, at least one of the characters of various countries represented by character codes, extended characters, device-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and signs. Note that the text may not include at least one of the above-mentioned characters, extended characters, device-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and signs, and may include other text.

[0039] The image may include, without limitation and by way of example, at least one of the information of various images such as icons, buttons, stamps, emojis, and banner images.

[0040] <System Configuration> FIG. 1-1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the communication system 1 in this embodiment. In the communication system 1, as an example rather than a limitation, the server 10 and a plurality of terminals 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, ···) are connected via the network 30.

[0041] The server 10 has a function of providing a chat service (chat application) including a messaging service (messaging application) to official users and the terminals 20 owned by users via the network 30. The server 10 can also be expressed as a messaging server, a messaging service server, a messaging application management server, etc.

[0042] In this embodiment, a messaging service provider (operator) is a user of the server 10.

[0043] Note that, different from this embodiment, an operator of a payment service (payment application) enabling electronic payment by electronic money (electronic currency) or the like may be a user of the server 10 to operate the messaging service. The payment service provider may or may not provide the messaging service as a function of the payment application.

[0044] Note that the number of servers 10 and the number of terminals 20 connected to the network 30 are not limited.

[0045] The terminal 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, ···) can be any terminal as long as it can realize the functions described in each embodiment. The terminal 20 includes, by way of example and not limitation, smartphones, mobile phones (feature phones), computers (by way of example and not limitation, desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.), media computer platforms (by way of example and not limitation, cable, satellite set-top boxes, digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (by way of example and not limitation, PDAs (personal digital assistants), email clients, etc.), wearable terminals (eyeglass-type devices, watch-type devices, etc.), VR (Virtual Reality) terminals, smart speakers (voice recognition devices), or other types of computers, or communication platforms. Also, the terminal 20 may be referred to as an information processing terminal.

[0046] The configurations of the terminal 20A, terminal 20B, and terminal 20C can be the same, by way of example and not limitation. Also, if necessary, the terminal used by user X may or may not be represented as terminal 20X, and the user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 20X may or may not be represented as user information X. Note that user information is information of a user associated with an account used by the user in a predetermined service. User information includes, by way of example and not limitation, information associated with the user such as the user's name, the user's icon image, the user's age, the user's gender, the user's address, the user's hobbies, the user's identifier, etc., which are input by the user or assigned by a predetermined service, and may be any one or a combination of these, or not.

[0047] The network 30 serves to connect one or more terminals 20 and one or more servers 10. That is, the network 30 means a communication network that provides a connection path so that data can be transmitted and received after the above various devices are connected.

[0048] One or more portions of the network 30 may or may not be a wired network or a wireless network. By way of example and not limitation, the network 30 can include an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular phone network, ISDN (integrated service digital networks), a wireless LAN, LTE (long term evolution), CDMA (code division multiple access), Bluetooth (registered trademark), satellite communication, etc., or any combination of two or more of these. The network 30 can include one or more networks 30.

[0049] Server 10 (an example of a server, an information processing device, or an information management device, not limited thereto) has a function of providing a predetermined service (a messaging service in this embodiment) to terminal 20. Server 10 may be any device as long as it is an information processing device capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment. Server 10 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a server device, a computer (by way of example and not limitation, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (by way of example and not limitation, a cable, a satellite set-top box, a digital video recorder), a handheld computer device (by way of example and not limitation, a PDA, an email client, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Also, Server 10 may be referred to as an information processing device. When there is no need to distinguish between Server 10 and terminal 20, Server 10 and terminal 20 may each be referred to as an information processing device, or may not be.

[0050] [Hardware (HW) Configuration of Each Device] The HW configuration of each device included in communication system 1 will be described.

[0051] (1) HW Configuration of the Terminal FIG. 1-1 shows an example of the HW configuration of terminal 20. Terminal 20 includes a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage unit 28, a communication I / F 22 (interface), an input / output unit 23, a clock unit 29A, and a position calculation information detection unit 29B. Each component of the HW of terminal 20 is interconnected via bus B, by way of example and not limitation. Note that it is not essential to include all components as the HW configuration of terminal 20. By way of example and not limitation, terminal 20 may be configured to remove individual components or a plurality of components, or may not be.

[0052] The communication I / F 22 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either by wire or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be executed. The communication I / F 22 has a function of communicating with various devices such as the server 10 via the network 30. The communication I / F 22 transmits various data to various devices such as the server 10 according to an instruction from the control unit 21. Further, the communication I / F 22 receives various data transmitted from various devices such as the server 10 and transmits them to the control unit 21. Also, the communication I / F 22 may be simply referred to as a communication unit. Further, when the communication I / F 22 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0053] The input / output unit 23 includes devices for inputting various operations to the terminal 20, devices for outputting processing results processed by the terminal 20, and the like. The input / output unit 23 may have the input unit and the output unit integrated, may be separated into the input unit and the output unit, or may be otherwise.

[0054] The input unit is realized by any one or a combination of all types of devices that can receive an input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 21. The input unit includes, by way of example and not limitation, hardware keys such as a touch panel, a touch display, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera (operation input via moving images), and a microphone (operation input by voice).

[0055] The output unit is realized by any one or a combination of all types of devices that can output the processing result processed by the control unit 21. The output unit includes, by way of example and not limitation, a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (voice output), a lens (3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output by way of example and not limitation), a printer, and the like.

[0056] Merely by way of example, the input / output unit 23 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a display unit 24, a sound input unit 25, a sound output unit 26, and an imaging unit 27.

[0057] The display unit 24 can be realized by any one or a combination of all types of devices capable of displaying according to the display data written in the frame buffer. The display unit 24 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a touch panel, a touch display, a monitor (by way of example and not limitation, a liquid crystal display or an OELD (organic electroluminescence display)), a head-mounted display (HDM: Head Mounted Display), projection mapping, a hologram, a device capable of displaying image, text information, etc. in the air (it may or may not be a vacuum). Note that these display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0058] The sound input unit 25 is used for input of sound data (including voice data. The same applies hereinafter). The sound input unit 25 includes a microphone and the like. The sound output unit 26 is used for output of sound data. The sound output unit 26 includes a speaker and the like. The imaging unit 27 is used for acquisition of image data (including still image data and moving image data. The same applies hereinafter). The imaging unit 27 includes a camera and the like.

[0059] When the input / output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input / output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be arranged to face each other with substantially the same size and shape.

[0060] The clock unit 29A is the built-in clock of the terminal 20 and outputs time information (timekeeping information). The clock unit 29A is configured to have, by way of example and not limitation, a clock using a crystal oscillator. The clock unit 29A can also be expressed as, by way of example and not limitation, a timekeeping unit or a time information detection unit.

[0061] Note that the clock unit 29A may or may not have a clock applying the NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) standard or the like.

[0062] The position calculation information detection unit 29B is a functional unit that detects (measures) information (hereinafter referred to as "position calculation information") necessary for the control unit 21 to calculate (measure) the position of its own terminal 20. The position calculation information detection unit 29B can also be expressed as a position calculation sensor unit as an example, not limited to this.

[0063] The position calculation information detection unit 29B includes, as an example not limited to this, a satellite positioning sensor (satellite positioning unit), which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System), an inertial measurement sensor (inertial measurement unit (IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit))), which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using an inertial navigation system, a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) positioning sensor (UWB positioning unit), which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using UWB, and the like.

[0064] The satellite positioning unit includes, as an example not limited to this, an RF receiving circuit that converts an RF (Radio Frequency) signal including a positioning satellite signal transmitted from a positioning satellite received by an antenna (not shown) into a digital signal, and a baseband processing circuit that performs correlation operation processing and the like on the digital signal output from the RF receiving circuit to capture the positioning satellite signal and outputs information such as satellite orbit data and time data extracted from the positioning satellite signal as position calculation information.

[0065] The inertial measurement unit has an inertial sensor that is a sensor for detecting information necessary for calculating the position of the terminal 20 by inertial navigation calculation. The inertial sensor includes, as an example not limited to this, a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis gyro sensor, and outputs the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor as position calculation information.

[0066] The UWB positioning unit includes, by way of example and not limitation, an ultra-wideband RF receiving circuit that converts an ultra-wideband RF signal including a positioning ultra-wideband pulse signal transmitted from a positioning beacon received by an antenna (not shown) into a digital signal, and a relative position calculation processing circuit that calculates the relative position between the terminal 20 and the positioning beacon based on the digital signal output from the ultra-wideband RF receiving circuit, etc. Incidentally, by way of example and not limitation, the UWB positioning unit may or may not cause the terminal 20 to function as a positioning beacon by transmitting an ultra-wideband RF signal including a positioning ultra-wideband pulse signal from an antenna (not shown).

[0067] The control unit 21, by way of example and not limitation, calculates the position of its own terminal 20 at regular timing or specific timing based on the position calculation information detected by the position calculation information detection unit 29B. The position of the terminal is referred to as the "terminal position", and the calculated terminal position is referred to as the "calculated terminal position". The control unit 21 may or may not store the calculated terminal position in the storage unit 28 as calculated terminal position history data in association with the date and time when the calculated terminal position was calculated.

[0068] The control unit 21 has a circuit physically structured to execute functions realized by codes or instructions included in a program, and is realized, by way of example and not limitation, by a data processing device built into hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0069] The control unit 21 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0070] The storage unit 28 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes various storage media such as, by way of example and not limitation, an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), a flash memory, a RAM (random access memory), and a ROM (read only memory). Also, the storage unit 28 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0071] The terminal 20 stores the program P in the storage unit 28 and, by executing this program P, the control unit 21 executes processes as each part included in the control unit 21. That is, the program P stored in the storage unit 28 causes the terminal 20 to realize each function executed by the control unit 21. Also, this program P may or may not be expressed as a program module.

[0072] (2) HW Configuration of the Server FIG. 1-1 shows an example of the HW configuration of the server 10. The server 10 includes a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication I / F 14 (interface), an input / output unit 12, and a clock unit 19. Each component of the HW of the server 10 is interconnected via a bus B, by way of example and not limitation. Note that it is not essential for the HW of the server 10 to include all components as the configuration of the HW of the server 10. By way of example and not limitation, the HW of the server 10 may or may not be configured to remove individual components or a plurality of components.

[0073] The control unit 11 has a circuit physically structured to execute functions realized by codes or instructions included in a program, and is realized by, by way of example and not limitation, a data processing device built into hardware.

[0074] The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but it may also be a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or not. In the present disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

[0075] The storage unit 15 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is realized by various storage media such as HDDs, SSDs, and flash memories. However, in the present disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Also, the storage unit 15 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0076] The communication I / F 14 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be executed. The communication I / F 14 has a function of executing communication with various devices such as the terminal 20 via the network 30. The communication I / F 14 transmits various data to various devices such as the terminal 20 according to an instruction from the control unit 11. Also, the communication I / F 14 receives various data transmitted from various devices such as the terminal 20 and transmits them to the control unit 11. Also, the communication I / F 14 may sometimes be simply expressed as a communication unit. Also, when the communication I / F 14 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may sometimes be expressed as a communication circuit.

[0077] The input / output unit 12 includes devices for inputting various operations to the server 10, devices for outputting the processing results processed by the server 10, and the like. The input / output unit 12 may have the input unit and the output unit integrated, may be separated into the input unit and the output unit, or may not be so.

[0078] The input unit is implemented by any one or a combination of all types of devices that can receive input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 11. Typically, the input unit is implemented by hardware keys represented by a keyboard or the like, and pointing devices such as a mouse. Note that the input unit may or may not include, by way of example and not limitation, a touch panel, a camera (operation input via a moving image), a microphone (operation input by voice).

[0079] The output unit is implemented by any one or a combination of all types of devices that can output the processing result processed by the control unit 11. By way of example and not limitation, the output unit includes a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (sound output), a lens (3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output by way of example and not limitation), a printer, and the like.

[0080] Although it is merely an example, the input / output unit 12 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a display unit 13.

[0081] The display unit 13 is implemented by a display or the like. Typically, the display is implemented by a monitor (a liquid crystal display or an OELD (organic electroluminescence display) by way of example and not limitation). Note that the display may or may not be a head-mounted display (HDM) or the like. Note that these displays may or may not be able to display display data in 3D. In the present disclosure, the display is not limited thereto.

[0082] The clock unit 19 is a built-in clock of the server 10 and outputs time information (timekeeping information). The clock unit 19 is configured to have, by way of example and not limitation, an RTC (Real Time Clock) as a hardware clock, a system clock, or the like. The clock unit 19 may also be expressed as a timekeeping unit or a time information detection unit by way of example and not limitation.

[0083] (3) Others Server 10 stores program P in storage unit 15, and by executing this program P, control unit 11 executes the processes as each part included in control unit 11. That is, program P stored in storage unit 15 causes server 10 to realize each function that control unit 11 executes. This program P may or may not be expressed as a program module. The same applies to other devices.

[0084] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, it will be described as being realized by the CPU of terminal 20 and / or server 10 executing program P.

[0085] Note that control unit 21 of terminal 20 and / or control unit 11 of server 10 may or may not be realized by a CPU having a control circuit, but also by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc., or a dedicated circuit. Also, these circuits may be realized by one or a plurality of integrated circuits, and it may or may not be the case that a plurality of processes shown in each embodiment are realized by one integrated circuit. Also, LSI may sometimes be referred to as VLSI, super LSI, ultra LSI, etc. depending on the degree of integration. Therefore, control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0086] Also, the program P (by way of example and not limitation, a software program, a computer program, or a program module) of each embodiment of the present disclosure may or may not be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can store the program P in a "non-transitory tangible medium". Also, the program P may or may not be for realizing a part of the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, it may or may not be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure in combination with the program P already recorded in the storage medium.

[0087] Also, in the case of a system program (a program executed by the system), the system is as described above. And the system program described above is a program executable throughout the system, and this program may, by way of example and not limitation, be composed of the programs of the individual devices constituting the system, and the programs stored in the individual devices constituting the system may be different from each other. That is, it is not necessary for them to be common programs in the individual devices constituting the system. By way of example and not limitation, when the system is composed of a terminal and a server, if the system program is P1, the system program P1 is composed of the program P2 stored in the terminal and the program P3 stored in the server, and P2 and P3 are for executing the system program and may be different programs. By way of example and not limitation, the program P2 stored in the terminal is a program that executes a first process and transmits the result of the first process to the server, and the program P3 stored in the server may be a program that performs a second process on the received result of the first process and transmits the result of the second process to the terminal.

[0088] The storage medium can include one or more semiconductor-based, or other integrated circuits (ICs) (by way of example and not limitation, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy disks, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards, or drives, any other suitable storage medium, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. The storage medium can, where appropriate, be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile. Note that the storage medium is not limited to these examples, and can be any device or medium as long as it can store program P. Also, the storage medium may or may not be expressed as memory.

[0089] Server 10 and / or terminal 20 can realize the functions of the plurality of functional units shown in each embodiment by reading program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read program P.

[0090] Also, program P of the present disclosure may or may not be provided to server 10 and / or terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast wave). Server 10 and / or terminal 20 realize the functions of the plurality of functional units shown in each embodiment by executing program P downloaded via, by way of example and not limitation, the Internet or the like.

[0091] Also, each embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal in which program P is embodied by electronic transmission. At least a part of the processing in server 10 and / or terminal 20 may or may not be realized by cloud computing constituted by one or more computers. It is also possible or not to configure at least a part or all of the processing in the terminal 20 to be performed by the server 10. In this case, it is also possible or not to configure at least a part or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 to be performed by the server 10. It is also possible or not to configure at least a part or all of the processing in the server 10 to be performed by the terminal 20. In this case, it is also possible or not to configure at least a part or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10 to be performed by the terminal 20.

[0092] Unless otherwise explicitly mentioned, the determination configuration in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not essential, and a predetermined process may or may not be operated when the determination condition is satisfied, or a predetermined process may or may not be performed when the determination condition is not satisfied.

[0093] Note that the program of the present disclosure is implemented using, by way of example and not limitation, script languages such as ActionScript and JavaScript (registered trademark), compiler languages such as Objective-C and Java (registered trademark), markup languages such as HTML5, and the like.

[0094] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, enables a user of the terminal 20 to pre-favorite search results retrieved by in-room search (in-chat-room search) in a messaging application, and then display the search results on the display unit 24.

[0095] The content described in the first embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments and other variations. Also, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those already described, and repeated description is omitted.

[0096] In the embodiments described below, consider a method of performing a search after displaying a talk room in a messaging application. In the embodiments described below, the method of displaying a search screen by various methods described in detail after displaying a talk room and performing a search is, for convenience, referred to as "in-room search (in-chat room search)". When applying this in-room search method, there may be a case where the user wants to reconfirm the search results that have been searched once later.

[0097] In this embodiment, the terminal 20 displays a talk room on the display unit 24, and based on an input by the user of the terminal 20 with respect to the first information (not limited but as an example, information such as a thumbnail corresponding to the favorite search result) for displaying the search results that the user of the terminal 20 has favored among the search results searched by in-room search in the past, the corresponding search results are displayed on the display unit 24. Note that "favorite" may be referred to as a bookmark or the like.

[0098] The in-room search will be described in a later embodiment, and in this embodiment, it will be described assuming that at least one search result has been favored by the user of the terminal 20 by in-room search.

[0099] The search results can be displayed based on at least one of the following data as an example, not a limitation. (1) Data in the database of the external server (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as "external data"). (2) Data in the database of the server 10 (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as "internal data"). Note that hereinafter, it is assumed that internal data is stored in the database of the server 10, but internal data may be stored in a database of a server different from the server 10 and managed by the messaging service provider.

[0100] In the first embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, a case where search results are displayed based on (1) external data among these will be exemplified.

[0101] [Functional Configuration of Each Device] (1) Server FIG. 1-2 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The control unit 11 includes, as a functional unit, an application management processing unit 111 for executing messaging application management processing according to the application management processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15, by way of example and not limitation.

[0102] FIG. 1-3 is a diagram showing an example of information and the like stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The storage unit 15 stores, by way of example and not limitation, an application management processing program 151 executed as messaging application management processing, account registration data 153, a search engine database 155, and an account management database 157.

[0103] The account registration data 153 is registration data regarding the account of the messaging application, and an example of its data configuration is shown in FIG. 1-4. The account registration data 153 stores, by way of example and not limitation, a user name, an application ID, and other registration information in association.

[0104] The user name is the name of the account of the terminal 20 that uses the application, and stores, by way of example and not limitation, the name registered when the user of the terminal 20 uses the application.

[0105] The application ID is information used to identify the account of the application, or the account itself. This application ID is preferably a unique value for each account. By way of example and not limitation, a unique value (a specific value) is set and stored for each account by server 10. The application ID is information associated with terminal 20 or the user of that terminal 20, and is an example of information regarding the terminal or information regarding the user of the terminal.

[0106] Other registration information may include, by way of example and not limitation, identification information for identifying terminal 20, the telephone number of terminal 20 (terminal telephone number), the email address (terminal email address), and various types of authentication information such as passwords (login passwords, authentication passwords, etc.) used for various authentications in the application.

[0107] The identification information for identifying terminal 20 can be, by way of example and not limitation, a terminal ID (by way of example and not limitation, IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)). Also, the identification information for identifying the user of terminal 20 can be, by way of example and not limitation, the application ID or the official application ID. Note that it may or may not be possible to use a "user ID" instead of the application ID.

[0108] Also, for an application where only one account can be registered for one terminal 20, by way of example and not limitation, "identification information for identifying terminal 20 = identification information for identifying the user of terminal 20 = application ID" can be used.

[0109] Also, by way of example and not limitation, it may or may not be possible to assign multiple terminal IDs to one application ID.

[0110] In addition, instead of using the application ID, it is also possible to apply a method of managing the account using information such as the terminal phone number. In this case, instead of storing the application ID in the account registration data 153, it is possible to store information such as the terminal phone number in the account registration data 153.

[0111] The search engine database 155 is a database of the search engine managed by the messaging service provider (server 10).

[0112] The messaging service provider can search for and collect various types of information on the web using, by way of example and not limitation, a robot-type search engine. Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, various external data can be collected by crawl processing using a crawler (bot). Hereinafter, the information (content) of the external data will be referred to as "external information" for convenience.

[0113] The server 10 can, by way of example and not limitation, analyze the acquired external information, convert it into searchable data, and register (index) it in the search engine database 155. By doing so, in the in-room search (in-chatroom search) described in detail later, the server 10 can return a search result for the search term input by the user of the terminal 20.

[0114] In this embodiment, in the search engine database 155, by way of example and not limitation, external information, link information of external data (hereinafter referred to as "external link information"), etc. can be stored in association with a data ID which is identification information for uniquely identifying the data.

[0115] Also, in this embodiment, in the search engine database 155, by way of example and not limitation, data regarding a thumbnail generated based on the external information can be stored. A thumbnail, by way of example and not limitation, can be a reduced image used when displaying a list of images or the like. By way of example and not limitation, server 10 generates thumbnails based on external information so that the user can intuitively recognize the content thereof. Then, server 10 stores, in association with the data ID, data related to the thumbnails (by way of example and not limitation, a thumbnail ID for identifying the thumbnail, image data of the thumbnail, etc.) in the search engine database 155.

[0116] Note that, instead of storing the data related to the thumbnails in the search engine database 155, it may be stored in a different database for thumbnails.

[0117] The link information can be, by way of example and not limitation, "URI". In this case, the external link information can be information for accessing an external server different from server 10, by way of example and not limitation, information for accessing external data in the database of the external server. Various devices can access the external server based on the external link information and display an external page including the target external information.

[0118] Note that the link information (by way of example and not limitation, URI) may or may not be described in accordance with the description scheme specified by the messaging service provider.

[0119] Also, when the link information is specified during the execution of the messaging application, the terminal 20 installed with the messaging application can display an external page by, by way of example and not limitation, a browser of the messaging application (hereinafter referred to as the "in-app browser (internal browser)").

[0120] In contrast, it is also possible to display an external page using an external browser (hereinafter referred to as an "external browser") that is not the in-app browser.

[0121] The account management database 157 is a database of management data related to the accounts stored in the account registration data 153, and a data configuration example of the account management database 157A, which is an example thereof, is shown in FIG. 1-5. Account management data is stored in the account management database 157A as management data for each account.

[0122] Each account management data stores, by way of example and not limitation, an application ID, friend data, content transmission / reception history data, and favorite data.

[0123] The application ID stores the application ID stored in the account registration data 153.

[0124] The friend data is data for identifying the accounts registered as friends with the account of this application ID. By way of example and not limitation, the application IDs of the accounts registered as friends are stored. In addition to this, information such as the date and time of friend registration may or may not be stored.

[0125] The application ID stores, among the application IDs stored in the account registration data 153, the application ID of the account whose application ID of this account management data has registered as a friend. Note that the user name of the account registered as a friend can be specified by referring to the account registration data 153.

[0126] By way of example and not limitation, the user of this account can send and receive content with the terminal 20 of the application ID stored in the friend registration data.

[0127] By way of example and not limitation, the content transmission / reception history data stores data regarding the history of content transmission / reception between this account and other accounts. It may be referred to as talk history data or the like.

[0128] The favorite data is data regarding the search results bookmarked (favorited) by the account of this application ID. By way of example and not limitation, "favorite" can be defined as registering information for displaying search results so that the search results retrieved by in-room search can be displayed later with a simple input.

[0129] By way of example and not limitation, the favorite data stores, in association, the favorite ID, the corresponding link information, and the favorite date and time.

[0130] By way of example and not limitation, the favorite ID stores the data ID corresponding to the favorite search result among the data IDs associated with the data stored in the search engine database 155.

[0131] The corresponding link information can be the link information corresponding to the favorited search result. By way of example and not limitation, the server 10 stores, in the corresponding link information column in association with the favorite ID, the link information associated with the data ID corresponding to this favorite ID in the search engine database 155.

[0132] By way of example and not limitation, the favorite date and time stores the date and time when this search result was favorited.

[0133] Here, the favorite data does not store the search results themselves. Instead, by way of example rather than limitation, information for displaying the search results, such as data IDs and link information, can be stored. That is, instead of the search results themselves, the information for displaying the search results can be stored in association with the application ID (the terminal 20, or the user of the terminal 20, or the account).

[0134] By comparing the favorite ID with the data ID in the search engine database 155, the corresponding thumbnail (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "corresponding thumbnail") can be identified. Therefore, the corresponding thumbnail can also be considered as information stored in association with the application ID (the terminal 20, the user of the terminal 20, the account).

[0135] Note that information such as a thumbnail ID for identifying the corresponding thumbnail may or may not be stored in the favorite data. In addition to the thumbnail, by way of example rather than limitation, information such as the title (caption) and summary of the search results can also be retrieved from the search engine database 155.

[0136] The favorite data can store information, by way of example rather than limitation, in the order in which it was favorited (oldest first). However, the order of the information (such as thumbnail information) regarding the favorites displayed by the terminal 20 on the display unit 24 does not necessarily have to be the oldest order in which they were favorited. It may also be displayed in the order in which they were most recently favorited. This can be achieved based on the information of the favorite date and time.

[0137] (2) Terminal FIG. 1-6 is a diagram showing an example of the functions realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The control unit 21 includes, as a functional unit, an application processing unit 211 for executing messaging application processing according to an application processing program 281 stored in the storage unit 28, by way of example and not limitation.

[0138] FIGS. 1-7 are diagrams showing an example of information and the like stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in the present embodiment. The storage unit 28 stores, by way of example and not limitation, an application processing program 281 executed as messaging application processing, and an application ID 283 of its own terminal 20 or the user of its own terminal 20.

[0139] Note that the application ID 283 may or may not be configured to store a plurality of application IDs.

[0140] <Display screen> Hereinafter, by way of example and not limitation, the display screen will be exemplified with the terminal 20 being a smartphone including a display unit 24 of a vertically long display.

[0141] In the smartphone, by way of example and not limitation, a touch panel functioning as an input unit is disposed opposite to the display, thereby forming a touch screen. When elements such as icons, buttons, items, or input areas are displayed on the display, if a region of a part of the touch panel that is opposite to the region where the element is displayed is operated by the user, a program associated with the element or a subroutine of the program can be executed.

[0142] Hereinafter, a tap (tap operation) shall be, by way of example and not limitation, an operation in which the user lightly touches the display unit 24 (touch screen) in which the touch panel is integrally formed with a finger or the tip of a pen, and then releases the touch.

[0143] Note that the transition of the display screen described below is merely an example of the transition of the display screen for implementing the method of the present disclosure and is not limited thereto. Regarding the transition of the display screen illustrated below, the display of some display screens may be omitted, or another display screen may be added.

[0144] FIG. 1-8 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A of user A.A in the present embodiment. The left side of FIG. 1-8 shows a state in which a chat room for user A.A to chat with user B.B, who has already been registered as a friend by user A.A, is displayed based on an input to display the chat room by user A.A.

[0145] In the area at the top of the screen, the characters of "Messaging App", which is the name of the messaging application, are displayed. To its side, the icon image of oneself (user A.A) and the characters of the user name "A.A" are displayed. Also, in the area below that, the characters of "B.B" indicating that the chat partner is user B.B and "<B.B" including the "<" button for exiting the chat room are displayed.

[0146] In the area below that, a chat room area TR for displaying the content to be transmitted and received is configured. By way of example and not limitation, on the right side of the screen, the content transmitted from oneself (user A.A) to the other user (user B.B) is displayed in chronological order, and on the left side of the screen, the content transmitted from the other user to oneself is displayed in chronological order.

[0147] In this example, a state is shown in which the text content of "What do you want to eat today?" transmitted from user A.A to user B.B is displayed, and also the text content of "How about Western food?" transmitted from user B.B to user A.A is displayed.

[0148] At the bottom of the screen, there is a content input area CIR for inputting content to be sent to the other user. Also, to the right of the content input area CIR, there is a search screen display button B1, marked with a magnifying glass as an example (not limited to this), for displaying the search screen.

[0149] When the search screen display button B1 is tapped, the display in the center of FIG. 1-8 is made as an example (not limited to this). Specifically, a search screen (search window) SW is displayed rising from the bottom of the screen. In this example, the search screen SW with a size (or height) set so as not to cover the upper part of the talk room area TR is superimposed and displayed on the talk room.

[0150] At the upper part of the search screen SW, there is a search term input area SIR for inputting search terms. To the right of it, there are an execution button B2 for executing an in-talk-room search with the input search terms and a close button B3 for closing the search screen SW.

[0151] Also, below the area where the search term input area SIR etc. of the search screen are provided, there is a favorite area where information such as thumbnails corresponding to the search results previously favored by user A.A is listed.

[0152] In this example, in the favorite area, below the display combining the heart image and the text "Favorite", thumbnails and titles corresponding to the search results favored by user A.A are set as one set, and a plurality of sets are displayed in the set order. As an example (not limited to this), the latest of the favored search results are displayed in a new order with the latest at the top.

[0153] Note that in this screen example, titles are displayed corresponding to the thumbnails for easy understanding, but only thumbnails may be displayed.

[0154] In addition, there may be a large number of favorite search results, and it may not be possible to display all the information such as thumbnails corresponding to the search results at once. Therefore, by way of example and not limitation, based on the user's scroll operation on the favorite area, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may perform scroll control.

[0155] In this example, by way of example and not limitation, thumbnails of the title "Hamburger", thumbnails of the title "One-piece dress", thumbnails of the title "Japanese-style pasta", thumbnails of the title "Makeup video", thumbnails of the title "Steak", thumbnails of the title "Stew", thumbnails of the title "Sneakers", etc. are displayed.

[0156] By way of example and not limitation, when the thumbnail of the title "Hamburger" is tapped by user A.A, the display on the right side of FIG. 1-8 is made by way of example and not limitation. In this example, based on the external link information corresponding to the tapped thumbnail, the browser displays the web page of "XYZ RECIPE" regarding the recipe of "Hamburger" as an external page including the search results of "Hamburger" (external information corresponding to the search results).

[0157] <Process> FIG. 1-9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by each device in this embodiment. In this figure, in order from the left, it shows an example of the processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A of user A.A and an example of the processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0158] Note that the processing described below is only an example of the processing for realizing the method of the present disclosure and is not limited thereto. Another step may be added to the processing described below, or some steps may be omitted (deleted) from the processing described below.

[0159] In this embodiment, prior to the processing, it is assumed that at least one search result has already been favorited by user A.A in advance.

[0160] First, based on an input (which is a user operation as an example, not a limitation; the same applies hereinafter) for selecting a talk room for the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20A by the control unit 21 as an example, not a limitation, the control unit 21 causes the talk room to be displayed on the display unit 24 (A110).

[0161] After that, the control unit 21 determines whether to display a search screen (A120). Specifically, as an example, not a limitation, it determines whether an input for displaying a search screen via the input / output unit 23 has been detected.

[0162] If it is determined not to display the search screen (A120: NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to process A190. If it is determined to display the search screen (A120: YES), the control unit 21 requests the server 10 for favorite information via the communication I / F 22 (A130).

[0163] If it is determined that a request for favorite information has been received from the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S110: YES), the control unit 11 identifies, as an example, not a limitation, the favorite ID stored in the favorite data of the account management data corresponding to the application ID of user A.A in the account management database 157A. Then, the control unit 11 identifies the corresponding thumbnail by comparing the identified favorite ID with the data ID of the search engine database 155. Then, the control unit 11 transmits, as an example, not a limitation, the favorite information including the favorite ID, the corresponding link information, the corresponding thumbnail, and the favorite date and time to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S120). In response to this, the control unit 21 stores the received favorite information in the storage unit 28.

[0164] If it is determined that no request for favorite information has been made from the terminal 20A by the communication I / F 14 (S110: NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to the process of S190.

[0165] When the communication I / F 22 receives favorite information from the server 10, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display a search screen including, as an example and not limited to, a search term input area (an example of the first area) and a favorite area (an area for displaying a thumbnail list) in which corresponding thumbnails included in the favorite information are arranged (A140). In this case, the control unit 21 can arrange the corresponding thumbnails in the favorite area in the order of new or old based on the received favorite date and time information, as an example and not limited to.

[0166] Note that the configuration is not limited to the case where the terminal 20 obtains favorite information from the server 10 and displays the search screen. As an example and not limited to, the latest favorite information may be obtained from the server 10 at regular timings or the like and stored / updated in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20. In A140, the control unit 21 may or may not display the search screen based on the latest favorite information stored in the storage unit 28. Also, although details will be described in other embodiments, it is also possible to cause the terminal 20 to display the search screen without obtaining favorite information from the server 10.

[0167] Here, the search screen can be displayed by any of the following methods, as an example and not limited to. (A) Method of displaying the search screen by an external browser (B) Method of displaying the search screen by an in-app browser

[0168] In the method of (A), as an example and not limited to, the search screen can be displayed by an external browser (a browser for a web application) that operates with a messaging application as a platform. Specifically, in a state where the talk room screen of the messaging application is being displayed, as an example rather than a limitation, an external browser that can refer to various types of information including the account information of the messaging application can be launched to display a search screen. In this case, the search screen can be displayed so as to overlap at least a part of the talk room (overlay).

[0169] The size (or height) of the search screen can be arbitrarily set. If the search screen is to be full size, the search screen can be displayed so as to completely overlap the talk room. In this case, since the talk room is completely covered by the search screen, the talk room cannot be visually recognized. On the other hand, if the search screen is to be smaller than full size, the search screen can be displayed so as to overlap a part of the talk room. In this case, a part of the area of the talk room is covered, but the non-covered area can be visually recognized.

[0170] (In the method of (B), as an example rather than a limitation, in a state where the talk room screen in the messaging application is being displayed, as an example rather than a limitation, the in-app browser of the messaging application can be launched to display a search screen. In this case, as an example rather than a limitation, (B-1) A method of moving (transitioning) from the talk room screen to display the search screen (B-2) A method of displaying the search screen in parallel with the talk room screen Either of these methods can be applied.

[0171] Also, in the method of (B-2), as an example rather than a limitation, (B-2a) Similar to the method of (A), a method of displaying the search screen so as to overlap at least a part of the talk room (overlay) (B-2b) Method of splitting the screen into two and allocating and displaying it for the talk room and search (Split) Any of the above methods can be applied.

[0172] Regarding the method of (A), a method similar to (B-2b) split may or may not be applied.

[0173] The display screen described above is, by way of example and not limitation, an example of a display screen when a search screen is displayed by the method of (A) and the size of the search screen is smaller than the full size.

[0174] In the search screen, the search term input area (an example of the first area where a search term is input, not by way of limitation) can be, by way of example and not limitation, a different area from the content input area (an example of the second area where content is input) displayed in the talk room.

[0175] Thereafter, the control unit 21 determines whether an input to the thumbnail of the favorite area of the search screen via the input / output unit 23 has been detected (A150).

[0176] If it is determined that no input has been detected (A150: NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to process A180. If it is determined that an input has been detected (A150: YES), the control unit 21 performs a search result display process (A160a). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, for the thumbnail for which an input has been detected, based on the corresponding link information, the communication I / F 22 accesses an external server. As a result, an external page including the target search result is displayed on the display unit 24.

[0177] Thereafter, after returning from the external page to the talk room of the messaging application or the like, the control unit 21 determines whether to close the currently displayed search screen (A180). If it is determined not to close the search screen (A180: NO), the control unit 21 returns the process to A150. On the other hand, if it is determined that the search screen is to be closed (A180: YES), the control unit 21 performs control to make the currently displayed search screen non-displayed.

[0178] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether to close the currently displayed talk room (A190). If it is determined not to close the talk room (A190: NO), the control unit 21 returns the process to A120. On the other hand, if it is determined to close the talk room (A190: YES), after the control unit 21 performs control to make the currently displayed talk room non-displayed, the process ends.

[0179] After S120, the control unit 11 determines whether to end the process (S190). If it is determined to continue the process (S190: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to S110. On the other hand, if it is determined to end the process (S190: YES), the control unit 11 ends the process.

[0180] <Information for displaying search results (First Information)> Although the thumbnail has been described as an example up to this point, the information for displaying search results in the present disclosure is not limited, and as an example, various types of information that can access the search results by user input can be included therein. As an example rather than a limitation, information such as the title and summary of search results associated with link information may be displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 as the first information. In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can display the search results on the display unit 24 according to the corresponding link information based on the input to these first information. Also, link information such as a URI may be displayed as the first information.

[0181] <Effects of the First Embodiment> In this embodiment, the terminal 20 displays a talk room (not limited to, for example, a chat room) on the display unit 24 based on an input to its own terminal 20. Further, the terminal 20 displays a search term input area (not limited to, for example, a first area) and information such as a thumbnail stored in association with the user of its own terminal 20 (not limited to, for example, a first piece of information for displaying search results retrieved based on an input of a search term to the first area) on the display unit 24. Then, the terminal 20 shows a configuration in which search results are displayed on the display unit 24 based on an input by the user to the information such as the thumbnail. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the terminal displays a chat room on the display unit, and based on an input by the user of the terminal to the first area where a search term is input and the first piece of information for displaying search results retrieved based on an input of a search term to the first area, which is stored in association with the user of the terminal, the search results can be displayed on the display unit. Thereby, for example, when the user wants to reconfirm the search results later, the search results can be easily displayed based on an input by the user of the terminal to the first piece of information.

[0182] Further, this embodiment shows a configuration in which a search screen including a search term input area (not limited to, for example, a first area) and information such as a thumbnail (not limited to, for example, a first piece of information) is displayed on the display unit 24 superimposed on the talk room. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, for example, by displaying the first area and the first piece of information so as to be superimposed on a part of the chat room, the chat room can be made visible to the user of the terminal while the first area and the first piece of information can be made visible to the user.

[0183] Further, this embodiment shows a configuration in which the search term input area (not limited to, for example, a first area) is different from the content input area (not limited to, for example, a second area) displayed in the talk room. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, by making the first area where the search term is input and the second area where the content displayed in the chat room is input different areas, it is possible to prevent the user from misidentifying the area to input.

[0184] <First Modification Example (1)> In the first embodiment, before the terminal 20 displays the search results, it may be configured to confirm them with the user.

[0185] <Process> The process in this modification example is not limited and is given as an example. In the process of FIGS. 1-9, when it is determined that an input to the thumbnail in the favorite area of the search screen via the input / output unit 23 is detected at A150, the control unit 21 determines whether to display the search results corresponding to the thumbnail where the input was detected.

[0186] Specifically, not limited and given as an example, a preview display of the search results corresponding to the thumbnail where the input was detected is performed, and buttons (such as a "Open Link Destination" button or an "Open External Page" button, not limited and given as an example) for confirming with the user whether to display an external page are displayed. When an operation on this button is detected, the control unit 21 proceeds to the process at A160a.

[0187] <First Modification Example (2)> In the first embodiment, the case where the terminal 20 displays search results based on (1) external data based on an input by the user of the terminal 20 to information such as a thumbnail is illustrated, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible for the terminal 20 to display search results based on (2) internal data.

[0188] The internal data can be data based on at least any one of the following information, not limited and given as an example. (2-1) Internal original information (2-2) External organized information (2-3) Composite information

[0189] (2-1) The internal original information can be, by way of example and not limitation, information for search independently generated by a messaging service provider. It is also conceivable that a messaging service provider constructs its own search system. It is possible to generate search information without necessarily acquiring external information, and there may be cases where there is no externally referable information in the first place.

[0190] In this case, in the search engine database 155, by way of example and not limitation, internal original information, link information of internal data based on the internal original information, corresponding thumbnails, etc. can be stored in association with a data ID.

[0191] (2-2) The externally organized information can be information obtained as a result of organizing external information. There may be cases where a messaging service provider wants to organize external information for use in search. The organization of information can be, by way of example and not limitation, to adjust the original information (content) without falsifying it. By way of example and not limitation, this can include editing the content, deleting some of the content, extracting the main part of the content, summarizing the content, etc. Note that the organization of external information may also be referred to as the organization of external data.

[0192] In this case, in the search engine database 155, by way of example and not limitation, externally organized information, link information of internal data based on the externally organized information, corresponding thumbnails, etc. can be stored in association with a data ID.

[0193] Note that it is not essential to necessarily organize external information, and it may be used as it is (reused) or not used at all.

[0194] (2-3) The composite information can be information generated based on external information and internal original information. There may be a case where a messaging service provider wants to use internal original information for search while referring to external information.

[0195] In this case, the search engine database 155 can store, by way of example and not limitation, composite information, link information of internal data based on the composite information, corresponding thumbnails, etc., in association with a data ID.

[0196] In this modification example, by way of example and not limitation, link information of internal data (hereinafter referred to as "internal link information") can be stored as corresponding link information in the favorite data of the account management data in the aforementioned account management database 157A (see FIG. 1-5). The internal link information can be a URI, by way of example and not limitation.

[0197] <Display screen> FIG. 1-10 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. The left side of FIG. 1-10 is the same screen as the center of FIG. 1-8. By way of example and not limitation, when a thumbnail with the title "Hamburger" is tapped by user A.A, the display on the right side of FIG. 1-10 is made, by way of example and not limitation.

[0198] In this example, based on the internal link information corresponding to the tapped thumbnail, an internal page in the messaging application including the search results for "Hamburger" is displayed below the area where the search term input area SIR etc. in the search screen is displayed. In this example, external adjustment information obtained by adjusting the external information published on the external page shown on the right side of FIG. 1-8 is displayed on the internal page.

[0199] Note that, different from this, it may or may not be configured to display an internal page that uses (directly uses) external information published on an external page shown on the right side of FIGS. 1-8.

[0200] Also, in the upper right part of the image of "Hamburg" included in the internal page, a favorite button B21 indicated by a heart mark, as an example rather than a limitation, for favoring this search result, is displayed so as to partially overlap the image. However, in this embodiment, considering visibility, the favorite button B21 is displayed surrounded by a circle.

[0201] The favorite button B21, as an example rather than a limitation, can be displayed uncolored when the user has not favored the search result corresponding to the content, and can be displayed colored when the user has already favored the search result corresponding to the content. In this example, since user A.A has already favored the search result of "Hamburg", the favorite button B21 is displayed colored.

[0202] When displaying the internal page, the server 10 can refer to the user's favorite data. Therefore, the favorite button B21 as described above can be displayed on the internal page. Note that it is not essential to display the favorite button B21, and it may not be displayed.

[0203] <Process> FIGS. 1-11 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this modified example. In this figure, in order from the left, an example of the processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A and an example of the processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 are shown. This processing is the processing in which the step of A160a in FIG. 1-9 is replaced with the step of A160b.

[0204] In S120, as an example and not by way of limitation, based on the favorite data of the account management data corresponding to the application ID of user A.A in the account management database 157A and the data stored in the search engine database 155, as an example and not by way of limitation, the control unit 11 transmits favorite information including a favorite ID, corresponding link information (in this example, internal link information), a corresponding thumbnail, and a favorite date and time to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14. In response to this, the control unit 21 stores the received favorite information in the storage unit 28.

[0205] If it is determined in A150 that an input to the thumbnail in the favorite area of the search screen via the input / output unit 23 has been detected (A150: YES), the control unit 21 performs a search result display process (A160b).

[0206] Specifically, the control unit 21 requests display of an internal page based on the corresponding link information of the thumbnail for which the input has been detected among the corresponding link information included in the favorite information previously received from the server 10 and stored in the storage unit 28, and transmits display request information to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (A161).

[0207] The control unit 11 determines whether display request information has been received from the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S130). If it is determined that the information has not been received (S130: NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to the process in S190.

[0208] If it is determined that the information has been received (S130: YES), the control unit 11 transmits the corresponding search result to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S140). Specifically, the control unit 11 refers to the search engine database 155 and transmits information on the internal page corresponding to the corresponding link information to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14.

[0209] In response to this, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display the search result (A163). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the information of the internal page received from the server 10 is displayed within the search screen. Then, the control unit 21 ends the search result display process.

[0210] Note that when displaying the search result based on the internal data based on the above-described (2-2) externally organized information and (2-3) composite information, the original external data will exist. In this case, in S140 of the above process, the control unit 11 may transmit the information of the internal page including the search result associated with the external link information corresponding to the original external data to the terminal 20A. In this case, based on detecting an input to a setting area (by way of example and not limitation, such as an image, a title display area, etc.) of the internal page displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20, the control unit 21 can transition to the original external page based on the external link information.

[0211] In the example of FIGS. 1-10, when, by way of example and not limitation, the title area of "Hamburger" or the image area of "Hamburger" among the internal pages of "Hamburger" displayed within the search screen on the right screen of FIGS. 1-10 is tapped, the control unit 21 can transition to the external page (the web page of "XYZ Recipe") shown on the right of FIG. 1-8 and display it on the display unit 24.

[0212] <First Modification Example (3)> Combining the content of the first modification example (1) and the content of the first modification example (2), by way of example and not limitation, before displaying the internal page, it may be possible to confirm with the user of the terminal 20 whether to display the internal page.

[0213] <Process> The processing in this modification example is, by way of example and not limitation, in the processing of FIGS. 1 - 11, when it is determined that an input to the thumbnail in the favorite area of the search screen via the input / output unit 23 is detected at A150, the control unit 21 determines whether to display the search result corresponding to the thumbnail where the input is detected within the messaging application. Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, a preview display or the like of the search result corresponding to the thumbnail where the input is detected is performed, and buttons (by way of example and not limitation, such as an "Open" button or an "Open Internal Page" button) and the like for confirming with the user whether to display the internal page are displayed. And when an operation on this button is detected, the control unit 21 proceeds with the processing to A160b.

[0214] In this case, at A163 in the processing of FIGS. 1 - 11, the control unit 21, by way of example and not limitation, based on the information of the internal page received from the server 10, can make the display chat room invisible and display the internal page on the display unit 24.

[0215] <First Modification Example (4)> In the above example, the terminal 20 receives and stores the favorite information including the corresponding link information from the server 10, and when an input to the thumbnail is detected, the search result is displayed based on the stored corresponding link information, but it is not limited to this.

[0216] At S120 in FIGS. 1 - 9, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 11 transmits the favorite information not including the corresponding link information to the terminal 20A. In this case, in the search result display processing of A160a and A160b, the control unit 21 transmits the favorite ID corresponding to the thumbnail where the input is detected to the server 10. Then, the control unit 11 can acquire the corresponding link information associated with the favorite ID received from the terminal 20A and return the acquired corresponding link information to the terminal 20A.

[0217] <First Modification Example (5)> In the above-described embodiment, information such as thumbnails is displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in an order such as the order of the newly liked or the order of the old liked, but it is not limited to this. In addition to this, as an example without limitation, the search results may be displayed in a random order, or in an order such as the order of the number of times or frequency of display of the search results based on the input to information such as thumbnails, from most to least / from least to most.

[0218] Also, as described above, there may be a case where the number of favorite search results is large and the information such as thumbnails cannot fit in the favorite area. Therefore, the number of information such as thumbnails to be displayed in the favorite area may be restricted. That is, instead of displaying information such as thumbnails corresponding to all the favorite search results, information such as thumbnails corresponding to some of the favorite search results may be displayed. As an example without limitation, information such as thumbnails corresponding to a set number of search results can be displayed in the order of the newly liked.

[0219] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment is an embodiment that enables sharing information regarding search results in a talk room in the first embodiment.

[0220] The content described in the second embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments and any of the other modification examples. Also, the same components as the components already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description is omitted.

[0221] In this embodiment, the server 10 generates, as an example without limitation, content for transmission and reception in a messaging application based on external data and internal data stored in the search engine database 155. Then, the generated content is stored in the search engine database 155 in association with a data ID.

[0222] Note that, instead of storing the data related to the content in the search engine database 155, it may be stored in a database for different content.

[0223] The server 10, by way of example and not limitation, can identify the corresponding content (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "corresponding content") by comparing the favorite ID stored in the favorite data with the data ID in the search engine database 155. The corresponding content is an example of the second information regarding the search result.

[0224] Note that information such as a content ID for identifying the corresponding content may or may not be stored in the favorite data.

[0225] <Display screen> FIG. 2-1 is a diagram showing an example of the screen transition displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. The left side of FIG. 2-1 is the same screen as the center of FIG. 1-8. By way of example and not limitation, when the thumbnail of the title "Hamburger" is tapped by the user A.A, the display in the center of FIG. 2-1 is made by way of example and not limitation. In this example, the screen in the center of FIG. 1-8 is grayed out as the background, and the thumbnail of the title "Hamburger" is previewed as the foreground in the center of the screen.

[0226] Below that, a "Open Link Destination" button B11 including the text "Open Link Destination" for opening the page of the link destination of the search result corresponding to the previewed thumbnail is displayed, and above it, the name of the link destination (in this example, "XYZ RECIPE") and its external link information (in this example, the URL) are displayed.

[0227] Below the "Open Link" button B11, there is a "Share to Talk Room" button B12 that includes the text "Share to Talk Room" for sharing the content related to the search results corresponding to the previewed thumbnail to the talk room.

[0228] Also, below that, there is a "Cancel" button B13 that includes the text "Cancel" for going back without performing any of the above.

[0229] By way of example and not limitation, when the "Share to Talk Room" button B12 is tapped, by way of example and not limitation, the display on the right side of Figure 2-1 is made. In this example, in the talk room area TR shown on the left side of Figure 1-8, below the text content "How about Western food?" sent from user B.B, as the content from user A.A as the sender, content CT11 corresponding to the search result of "Hamburger" is displayed.

[0230] In this example, the content CT11 is configured as a composite content (compound content) that includes a plurality of contents such as text content indicating the title of "Hamburger", image content represented by an image of "Hamburger", and content indicating information about the link destination, by way of example and not limitation.

[0231] Also, in this example, in the lower right part of the image content of the content CT11, the above-mentioned favorite button B21 for favoriting the search results corresponding to the content CT11 is superimposed and displayed. In this example, since user A.A has already favorited the search results corresponding to the content CT11, the favorite button B21 is displayed in a colored state.

[0232] Note that in this example, user A.A has already favorited the search results corresponding to content CT11. Therefore, for content CT11 to be displayed in the chat room on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A, the favorite button B21 may not be displayed.

[0233] Also, by way of example and not limitation, when a setting area of content CT11 (by way of example and not limitation, an area for displaying an image, title, link information, etc.) is tapped by user A.A, an external page including search results for "hamburger" shown on the right side of FIG. 1-8 may be displayed based on the external link information corresponding to content CT11.

[0234] <Process> FIGS. 2-2 and 2-3 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing flow executed by each device in this embodiment. Here, the user who is the chat partner of user A.A is assumed to be user B.B of terminal 20B.

[0235] In S120, the control unit 11, by way of example and not limitation, based on the favorite data of the account management data corresponding to the application ID of user A.A in the account management database 157A and the data stored in the search engine database 155, transmits favorite information including, by way of example and not limitation, a favorite ID, corresponding link information, corresponding thumbnail, corresponding content, and favorite date and time to terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14. In response to this, the control unit 21 stores the received favorite information in the storage unit 28.

[0236] If it is determined that an input to the thumbnail has been detected in A150 (A150: YES), the control unit 21 determines whether to display the search result (A210). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, as described above, a preview display of the search result corresponding to the thumbnail for which the input has been detected is performed, and buttons (by way of example and not limitation, a "Open Link Destination" button or an "Open External Page" button) for confirming with the user whether to display an external page are displayed, and it is determined whether an operation on this button has been detected. Then, if it is determined to display the search result (A210: YES), the control unit 21 performs search result display processing (A160a).

[0237] Note that, similar to the first modification example (3), as the search result display processing, the steps of A160b in FIGS. 1-11 may be performed. In this case, in A210, as described above, a preview display of the search result corresponding to the thumbnail for which the input has been detected is performed, and buttons (by way of example and not limitation, an "Open" button or an "Open Internal Page" button) for confirming with the user whether to display an internal page are displayed, and it is determined whether an operation on this button has been detected. Then, if it is determined to display the search result (A210: YES), the control unit 21 performs search result display processing (A160b). This can be the same in other embodiments and other modification examples, and thus the description will be omitted hereinafter.

[0238] After A160a (or A160b), or when it is determined in A210 not to display the search result (A210: NO), the control unit 21 determines whether to share the content corresponding to the thumbnail for which the input has been detected in the talk room (A220). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, a preview display of the search result corresponding to the thumbnail for which the input has been detected is performed, and buttons (by way of example and not limitation, a "Share to Talk Room" button) for confirming with the user whether to share the content in the talk room are displayed, and it is determined whether an operation on this button has been detected.

[0239] If it is determined not to share the content (A220: NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to A189. If it is determined to share the content (A220: YES), the control unit 21 causes the corresponding content of the thumbnail for which an input has been detected among the favorite contents received from the server 10 earlier and stored in the storage unit 28 to be displayed in the currently displayed talk room (A230).

[0240] Next, the control unit 21 transmits, by the communication I / F 22 to the server 10, content sharing request information including the favorite ID corresponding to the thumbnail for which an input has been detected among the favorite IDs included in the favorite information received from the server 10 earlier and stored in the storage unit 28 (A240).

[0241] If it is determined that content sharing request information has been received from the terminal 20A by the communication I / F 14 (S210: YES), the control unit 11 transmits, by the communication I / F 14, the corresponding content of the favorite ID included in the received content sharing request information to the terminal 20B which is the talk partner's terminal 20 (S220). Then, after updating the content transmission / reception history data included in the account management data of the application ID of the user of the related terminal 20, the control unit 11 proceeds to S190.

[0242] If it is determined that content sharing request information has not been received from the terminal 20A by the communication I / F 14 (S210: NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to S190.

[0243] <Information regarding search results (second information)> Although the content has been described as an example so far, the information regarding the search results in the present disclosure can be information having a relationship with the search results. As an example rather than a limitation, it can be considered as a concept including information that the user himself or others can know about what the search results are (information that can recognize the search results), information that can lead to the search results, and the like. Specifically, as an example rather than a limitation, it can include characters, images (including thumbnails), information that can access the search results by operation, and the like.

[0244] Also, the information displayed by the terminal 20A (an example of a terminal rather than a limitation) in the talk room (an example of a chat room rather than a limitation) and the information transmitted by the terminal 20A to the terminal 20 of the conversation partner (an example of a first terminal rather than a limitation) do not necessarily have to be the same information. As an example rather than a limitation, as described above, the terminal 20A displays the corresponding content of the search results in the talk room of the display unit 24 of its own terminal 20. On the other hand, the terminal 20A may transmit different content (as an example rather than a limitation, unorganized content, content that is at least partially different in content from the content displayed by the terminal 20A, etc.) to the terminal 20 of the conversation partner. In this way, the information displayed by the terminal and the information transmitted may be the same information or different information. Also, even when the information displayed by the terminal and the information transmitted are different information, these may be regarded as the same information (second information).

[0245] Also, the display of the second information and the transmission of the second information do not necessarily have to be performed simultaneously. Also, the second information may be transmitted after the second information is displayed, or conversely, the second information may be displayed after the second information is transmitted.

[0246] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> In this embodiment, based on the input by the user of the terminal 20 with respect to information such as a thumbnail, the terminal 20 displays content (not limited thereto, an example of second information regarding the search result) corresponding to the search result in the talk room. Further, the terminal 20 shows a configuration in which the control unit 21 performs control to transmit this content to the terminal 20 of the user of the talk partner (not limited thereto, an example of the first terminal) by the communication I / F 22. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, based on the input by the user of the terminal with respect to the first information, the second information regarding the search result can be displayed in the chat room and notified to the user of the terminal. Further, the second information can be transmitted to the first terminal and shared with the user of the first terminal.

[0247] Also, in this case, after the input by the user of the own terminal 20 with respect to information such as a thumbnail, when an input (not limited thereto, an example of an input regarding displaying the search result on the display unit) for displaying an external page or the like is performed, the external page or the like is displayed, and after the input by the user of the own terminal 20 with respect to information such as a thumbnail, when an input (not limited thereto, an example of an input regarding displaying the content in the talk room) for sharing the content in the talk room is performed, the content can be displayed in the talk room. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, after the input by the user of the terminal with respect to the first information, based on a different input by the user of the terminal, it becomes possible to display the search result or display the second information in the chat room, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0248] <Second Modification Example> The above content is not necessarily limited to being shared in a one-on-one talk room, and may be shared in a group talk room. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, in a group chat room including user A.A of terminal 20A, user B.B of terminal 20B, and user C.C of terminal 20C, content corresponding to search results favored by one user may be transmitted to and shared on the terminals 20 of other users.

[0249] In this modified example, the chat room can include content transmitted and received between a first terminal 20 (by way of example and not limitation, an example of a terminal), a second terminal 20 (by way of example and not limitation, an example of the first terminal), and a third terminal 20 (by way of example and not limitation, an example of a terminal and a second terminal different from the first terminal). As an example of the effect of the modified example obtained by such a configuration, content transmitted and received between a terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal different from the terminal and the first terminal can be shared in a chat room.

[0250] <Third Embodiment> The third embodiment is related to the second embodiment, and is an embodiment that enables, on the terminal 20 of a conversation partner, displaying search results corresponding to the content or favoring the search results corresponding to the content, based on the content corresponding to the search results transmitted to the terminal 20 of the conversation partner and displayed on the terminal 20 of the conversation partner.

[0251] The content described in the third embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Also, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those already described, and the repeated description thereof is omitted.

[0252] <Display Screen> FIG. 3-1 and FIG. 3-2 are diagrams showing an example of the transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20B in this embodiment. Here, corresponding to the flow shown in FIG. 2-1, an example of the transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20B of user B.B, who is the conversation partner of user A.A, is shown.

[0253] On the left side of Fig. 3-1, based on the fact that the "Share to Talk Room" button B12 displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A shown in the center of Fig. 2-1 was tapped, the content CT11 corresponding to the search result of "Hamburger", which is the content with user A.A as the sender, was received by the terminal 20B, and the state where the screen of the talk room with user A.A as the talk partner is displayed is shown.

[0254] The content CT11 is the same as described above. However, in this example, since user B.B does not like the search results corresponding to the content CT11, the favorite button B21 is displayed in an uncolored state.

[0255] When the setting area (not limited, but as an example, the display area of the image, title, link information, etc.) of the content CT11 is tapped by user B.B, a display as shown on the right side of Fig. 3-1 is made. Specifically, based on the external link information corresponding to the content CT11, an external page similar to the one on the right side of Fig. 1-8 is displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B.

[0256] The left side of Fig. 3-2 shows the same screen as the left side of Fig. 3-1, but shows the state where the favorite button B21 displayed in association with the content CT11 was tapped by user B.B. In this case, the search result of "Hamburger" corresponding to the content CT11 is liked. The favorite process, which is the process for liking, will be described later.

[0257] As a result, a display as shown on the right side of Fig. 3-2 is made. In this example, a search screen (search window) SW is displayed so as to rise from the bottom of the screen. The configuration of this search screen SW is the same as the search screen SW displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A of user A.A. And in the favorite area within the search screen, a thumbnail corresponding to the search result of "Hamburger" is newly added and displayed.

[0258] Also, in this example, a new mark including the character "N(New)" indicating that it is new is displayed at the upper left corner of the thumbnail corresponding to the newly added search result for "Hamburg" so that the newly added favorite search result can be easily recognized by user B.B. The new mark can, as an example and not by limitation, be erased when a certain period of time has elapsed while the search screen is open, or can be made non-displayed when the search screen is once closed and then displayed in subsequent times. Note that it is not essential to display the new mark, and it may not be displayed.

[0259] <Process> FIG. 3-3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B in this modified example. Here, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that in the terminal 20B, a talk room with user A.A of the messaging application is displayed on the display unit 24.

[0260] Prior to this processing, in S220 of FIG. 2-3, the control unit 11 of the server 10, as an example and not by limitation, transmits the data ID corresponding to the favorite ID included in the content sharing request information received from the terminal 20A, the corresponding content, and the corresponding link information to the terminal 20B via the communication I / F 14.

[0261] First, the control unit 21 causes the received corresponding content to be displayed in the talk room with user A.A (B220).

[0262] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether an input for displaying the search result corresponding to the displayed corresponding content has been detected (B230). Specifically, as an example and not by limitation, it is determined whether an operation on the setting area of the corresponding content has been detected.

[0263] If it is determined that no detection has been made (B230: NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to the process in B250. If it is determined that detection has occurred (B230: YES), the control unit 21 performs search result display processing (B240). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, based on the corresponding link information received together with the corresponding content, a page (external page or internal page) including the target search result is displayed on the display unit 24.

[0264] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether it has detected a favorite input for favoriting the search result corresponding to the displayed corresponding content (B250). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, it determines whether an operation on the favorite button displayed in association with the corresponding content has been detected.

[0265] If it is determined that no detection has occurred (B250: NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to the process of B290. If it is determined that detection has occurred (B250: YES), the control unit 21 performs favorite processing with the server 10 (B260). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, favorite request information including the data ID received together with the corresponding content is transmitted to the server 10 by the communication I / F 22.

[0266] If it is determined that the favorite request information has been received from the terminal 20A by the communication I / F 14, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs favorite registration. Specifically, the data ID included in the received favorite request information is used as the favorite ID, and is stored in association with the corresponding link information in the favorite data of the account management data corresponding to the application ID of the user B.B in the account management database 157A.

[0267] Thereafter, the control unit 21 determines whether to end the process (B290). If it is determined that the process is to continue (B290: NO), the process returns to B230. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process is to end (B290: YES), the control unit 21 ends the process.

[0268] Note that the same applies even if the relationship between terminal 20A (user A.A) and terminal 20B (user B.B) is reversed. In terminal 20A, the content transmitted from terminal 20B is displayed on display unit 24, and based on the input to the content, it is also possible to display the search results corresponding to the content or add the search results corresponding to the content to favorites.

[0269] <Effect of the Third Embodiment> In this embodiment, terminal 20 receives, via communication I / F 22 from the terminal 20 of the conversation partner (not limited, an example of the first terminal), the content (not limited, an example of the third information) regarding the search results retrieved by the terminal 20 of the conversation partner. Then, terminal 20 displays the received content and a favorite button (not limited, an example of the fourth display regarding associating the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal) in the chat room. And terminal 20 shows a configuration in which, based on the input to the favorite button, a favorite process (not limited, an example of the process of associating the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal) is performed by control unit 21. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, based on the input to the fourth display regarding associating the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal, the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal can be associated with the user of the terminal.

[0270] <Third Modification Example> In the third embodiment, when the content displayed in the chat room on the terminal 20B of the conversation partner is tapped, not limited but by way of example, an internal page or the like including the search results corresponding to the content may be displayed. And it may be possible to add the search results to favorites in this internal page or the like.

[0271] By way of example and not limitation, when a set area of content CT11 is tapped on the left screen of FIG. 3-2 displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B of user B.B, an internal page similar to the internal page shown on the right of FIG. 1-10 is displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B. Then, when the favorite button B21 displayed in association with the "hamburger" image on this internal page is tapped, the search results for "hamburger" about user B.B may be made favorites.

[0272] By way of example and not limitation, the content received from the terminal 20 of the conversation partner and its display correspond to a display (by way of example and not limitation, an example of the fourth display) regarding associating information for displaying search results retrieved by the terminal 20 of the conversation partner (by way of example and not limitation, an example of the first terminal) with the user of its own terminal 20 (by way of example and not limitation, an example of a terminal). In this case, the fourth display can be regarded as being displayed in the chat room.

[0273] Also, by way of example and not limitation, the display of a favorite button or the like displayed on an internal page or the like corresponds to an example of the fourth display regarding associating information for displaying search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal. In this case, it can also be regarded that the fourth display is displayed on a screen different from the chat room (the fourth display is not displayed in the chat room).

[0274] In this modification example, the terminal 20 receives content (which is an example of third information, not limited to this) regarding the search results retrieved by the terminal 20 of the conversation partner (which is an example of the first terminal, not limited to this) from the terminal 20 of the conversation partner via the communication I / F 22. Then, the terminal 20 displays the received content (which is an example of third information, an example of the fourth display related to associating the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal) in a talk room (which is an example of a chat room, not limited to this). And the terminal 20 shows a configuration in which, based on an input to the content (which is an example of the fourth display, not limited to this), a favorite process (which is an example of a process for associating the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal) is performed by the control unit 21. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, based on an input to the fourth display regarding associating the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal with the user of the terminal, the information for displaying the search results retrieved by the first terminal can be associated with the user of the terminal.

[0275] <Fourth Embodiment> The fourth embodiment is an embodiment regarding a method for realizing an in-talk-room search (in-chat-room search) and the like in the above-described embodiment.

[0276] The content described in the fourth embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments and other modification examples. Also, for the components that are the same as the existing components, the same reference numerals are given, and the repeated description is omitted.

[0277] <Display Screen> FIG. 4-1 is a diagram showing an example of the screen transition displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The left side of FIG. 4-1 shows a state where in the central screen of FIG. 1-8, the search term "Western food recipe" is entered in the search term input area SIR and the execute button B2 is tapped. In this case, as an example, not limited to this, the display as shown in the center of FIG. 4-1 is made.

[0278] Specifically, a list of search results retrieved by the in - talk - room search is displayed in a search - result list area provided below the favorite area. In this example, below the characters of the search - result list, information regarding a plurality of search results related to the search term "Western - food recipe" (not limited to, but as an example, an image corresponding to the search result, an outline, etc.) is displayed.

[0279] For each of the displayed search results, when a setting area (not limited to, but as an example, an area for displaying an image, a title, etc.) is tapped, a page (external page or internal page) including this search result is displayed based on the corresponding link information.

[0280] Also, for each of the displayed search results, not limited to, but as an example, in the lower - right part of the image corresponding to the search result, the aforementioned favorite button B21 is superimposed and displayed. When this favorite button B21 is tapped, the corresponding search result is marked as a favorite.

[0281] Also, for search results that do not fit on the screen, not limited to, but as an example, it can be made displayable by the user performing a scroll operation. Specifically, not limited to, but as an example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 4 - 1, based on the user's scroll operation on the area including the favorite area and the search - result list area, not limited to, but as an example, the search - result list area can be scroll - controlled integrally with the favorite area so that search results that were not displayed are displayed.

[0282] Note that when there are many favorite search results, the search - result list area may be compressed by the favorite area. Therefore, as described in the first modification example (5), the number of pieces of information such as thumbnails to be displayed in the favorite area may be restricted.

[0283] <Process> FIG. 4 - 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. In this figure, an example of the processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A and the processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 is shown in order from the left side.

[0284] By way of example and not limitation, after A140 and S120, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A and the control unit 11 of the server 10 start executing search and favorite processing (A310, S310).

[0285] FIG. 4-3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of search and favorite processing in this embodiment. In this figure, an example of the processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A and the processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 is shown in order from the left side.

[0286] First, the control unit 21 determines whether it has detected the input of a search term in the search term input area of the search screen and a search execution operation for executing the search (A2110). If it is determined that the detection has not been made (A2110: NO), the control unit 21 advances the processing to A2140. If it is determined that the detection has been made (A2110: YES), the control unit 21 transmits search request information including the input search term to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (A2120).

[0287] If it is determined that the search request information has been received from the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S2110: YES), the control unit 11 performs in-room search processing (S2120). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, data including information related to the search term included in the received search request information is searched for from the data stored in the search engine database 155. Then, a search result list in which the searched data is sorted in an appropriate order based on the search term is generated.

[0288] Here, the data stored in the search engine database 155 is, by way of example and not limitation, the above-mentioned (1) External data (2) Internal data It can be set as at least one of these pieces of data. That is, the control unit 11 of the server 10 can perform an in-room search using at least one of these pieces of data as search data.

[0289] If it is determined that the search request information has not been received from the terminal 20A by the communication I / F 14 (S2110: NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to the process of S2140.

[0290] Thereafter, based on the result of the in-room search process, the control unit 11 transmits, as an example rather than a limitation, a search result list including a data ID, link information, and the content of the search result for each search result to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S2130).

[0291] When the control unit 21 receives the search result list from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22, the control unit 21 causes the received search result list to be displayed in a search result list area, which is an area within the search screen and different from the favorite area, as an example rather than a limitation (A2130).

[0292] As described above, search results that do not fit on the screen can be displayed based on, for example, a scroll operation by the user of the terminal 20. In this case, the control unit 21 can perform scroll control on the search result list area integrally with the favorite area within the search screen based on, for example, a scroll operation by the user of the terminal 20.

[0293] Alternatively, the control unit 21 may perform scroll control on the search result list area while keeping the favorite area fixed within the search screen based on, for example, a scroll operation by the user of the terminal 20.

[0294] After A2130 or when the determination result of A2110 is "NO", the control unit 21 determines whether the search result list is being displayed (A2140).

[0295] If it is determined that the search result list is not being displayed (A2140: NO), the control unit 21 returns the process to A2110. If it is determined that the search result list is being displayed (A2140: YES), the control unit 21 determines whether a favorite input has been detected (A2150). Specifically, not limited to but by way of example, it determines whether at least one tap has been detected on any of the favorite buttons displayed in association with each search result included in the search result list.

[0296] If it is determined that no favorite input has been detected (A2150: NO), the control unit 21 returns the process to A2110. If it is determined that a favorite input has been detected (A2150: YES), the control unit 21, not limited to but by way of example, transmits favorite request information including the data ID corresponding to the search result where the favorite input has been detected to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (A2160).

[0297] If it is determined that favorite request information has been received from the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S2140: YES), the control unit 11 performs favorite registration (S2150). Specifically, it uses the data ID included in the received favorite request information as the favorite ID and stores it in association with the corresponding link information in the favorite data of the account management data corresponding to the application ID of the user A.A in the account management database 157A.

[0298] If it is determined that no favorite request information has been received from the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S2140: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to S2110.

[0299] After that, the control unit 11 transmits the favorite information corresponding to the added search results to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S2160). Then, the control unit 11 returns the process to S2110.

[0300] In response to this, the control unit 21 adds information such as a thumbnail corresponding to the added search results to the favorite area of the search screen based on the received favorite information and updates the display (S2170). Then, the control unit 21 returns the process to A2110.

[0301] Although not shown in the figure, as described above, when a setting area (not limited to, for example, an image, a title display area, etc.) of each search result included in the search result list is tapped, the control unit 21 can perform the above-described search result display process to display a page (external page or internal page) including this search result.

[0302] Returning to Fig. 4-2, if it is determined in A180 that the search screen is to be closed (A180: YES), the control unit 21 ends the ongoing search and favorite process (A330). In this case, the terminal 20A can, for example, not limited to, notify the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 that the search and favorite process has ended. Then, the control unit 21 proceeds to A190.

[0303] After S310, the control unit 11 determines whether to end the search and favorite process based on, for example, whether the above notification has been received from the terminal 20A (S320). If it is determined to end (S320: YES), the ongoing search and favorite process is ended (S330). Then, the control unit 11 proceeds to S190.

[0304] <Effect of the Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, based on the fact that the first search term has been input by the user of the terminal 20 into the search term input area (which is an example of the first area, not limited thereto), the terminal 20 displays a search result list including one or more search results related to the first search term on the display unit 24. Further, the terminal 20 displays on the display unit 24 a display such as a favorite button (which is an example of the third display, not limited thereto) for associating and storing information for displaying the search results with the user of the terminal. Then, based on the input by the user of the terminal 20 with respect to the display such as the favorite button, the terminal 20 performs control regarding favoriting the first search result related to the first search term. As an example, not limited thereto, the control unit 21 performs control (which is an example of the control for associating and storing information for displaying the first search result related to the first search term with the user of the terminal) to store the favorite information related to the first search result in the storage unit 28. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the terminal can display on the display unit the first search result related to the first search term based on the fact that the first search term has been input by the user of the terminal into the first area, and notify the user of the terminal. Further, based on the input by the user of the terminal with respect to the third display for associating and storing information for displaying the search results with the user of the terminal, which is displayed on the display unit, the terminal can associate and store the information for displaying the first search result related to the input first search term with the user of the terminal.

[0305] Also, in this case, based on the fact that the first search term has been input by the user of the terminal 20 into the search term input area (which is an example of the first area, not limited thereto), the terminal 20 can display on the display unit 24 the first search result and information such as a thumbnail (which is an example of the first information, not limited thereto) for displaying the search results related to the first search term among the search results stored in association with the user of the terminal 20. As an example of the effects of the embodiments obtained by such a configuration, based on the fact that a first search term has been input by the user of the terminal into the first region, the terminal can display on the display unit a first search result and first information for displaying search results related to the first search term among the search results stored in association with the user of the terminal. As a result, the first search result and the first information for displaying search results related to the first search term can be viewed together by the user of the terminal, improving the convenience for the user.

[0306] <Fourth Modification Example> In the fourth embodiment, based on the fact that a search term has been input by the user of his or her own terminal 20 into the search term input area (not limited, an example of the first region), among the favorite information stored in the favorite data of that user, the favorite information corresponding to the search results related to the input search term may be selected and displayed in the favorite area.

[0307] In this case, as one method, the control unit 11 of the server 10, in S120 of FIG. 1-9, transmits to the terminal 20, in addition to the favorite ID, the corresponding link information, and the corresponding thumbnail, information such as the title and summary of the search results, which are associated with the favorite ID, as an example but not limited thereto. When a search term is input into the search term input area, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 selects favorite information corresponding to highly relevant search results based on index values such as the similarity between the title and summary of the search results received from the server 10 and stored in the storage unit 28 and the input search term. Then, the control unit 21 can cause information such as the thumbnail included in the selected favorite information to be displayed in the favorite area.

[0308] Also, as another method, when a search term is input into the search term input area, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 transmits the input search term to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22. The control unit 11 of the server 10 selects favorite information corresponding to highly relevant search results based on index values such as the similarity between the information corresponding to the search results favored by the user of this terminal 20 among the information stored in the search engine database 155 and the search terms received from the terminal 20. Then, the control unit 11 transmits the favorite ID included in the selected favorite information to the terminal 20 via the communication I / F 14. Then, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can cause information such as a thumbnail corresponding to the received favorite ID to be displayed in the favorite area.

[0309] Also, in this case, in addition to causing information such as a thumbnail to be displayed based on the favorite information selected by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 based on the search terms input in the search term input area, the search results related to the search terms input in the search term input area may be displayed in the search result list area.

[0310] This modification example shows a configuration in which the terminal 20 displays information such as a thumbnail for displaying search results related to the first search term on the display unit 24 based on the fact that the first search term has been input by the user of its own terminal 20 in the search term input area (not limited, an example of the first area). As an example of the effect of the modification example obtained by such a configuration, not limited but by way of example, based on the fact that the user of the terminal has input the first search term in the first area, the first information for displaying search results related to the first search term is displayed on the display unit of the terminal. As a result, it becomes possible to smoothly display the search results related to the first search term, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0311] <Fifth Embodiment> The fifth embodiment is an embodiment that enables the terminal 20 to display search results corresponding to categories on the display unit 24.

[0312] The content described in the fifth embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments and other modification examples. For components that are the same as those already described, the same reference numerals are used, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0313] FIG. 5-1 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of an account management database 157B, which is an example of the account management database 157 stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in the present embodiment. The configuration of each account management data is the same as the account management data in the account management database 157A, but the data configuration of the favorite data is partially different.

[0314] Specifically, in the favorite data, by way of example and not limitation, in addition to the favorite ID and the corresponding link information, by way of example and not limitation, the corresponding category is stored in association.

[0315] The corresponding category can be, by way of example and not limitation, the category (classification) to which the favorite search result belongs. The category can be, by way of example and not limitation, set on the server 10 after being determined by the messaging service provider. By way of example and not limitation, various categories such as "recipe", "store", "shopping", "person", "video", "game" can be set.

[0316] The server 10 determines (estimates) the category to which the favorite search result corresponds based on the data stored in the search engine database 155. Then, the server 10 stores the determined category (category identification information) in the corresponding category column in association with the favorite ID.

[0317] <Display screen> FIG. 5-2 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in the present embodiment. The left side of Fig. 5-2 shows the same screen as the center of Fig. 1-8, but a category list button B31 including a "♯" mark is displayed at the top of the favorite area on the search screen. When this category list button B31 is tapped, as an example rather than a limitation, the display in the center of Fig. 5-2 is made.

[0318] Specifically, a category list area for displaying a category list is displayed at the location where the favorite area in the search screen was previously displayed. In this example, buttons corresponding to the respective categories of "Recipe", "Shop", "Shopping", "Person", "Video", and "Game" are displayed in the category list area.

[0319] As an example rather than a limitation, when the button corresponding to the category "Recipe" is tapped, as an example rather than a limitation, the display on the right side of Fig. 5-2 is made. Specifically, based on the selection of the category "Recipe", the favorite information corresponding to the category "Recipe" is selected. As a result, among the multiple thumbnails displayed in the favorite area on the left side of Fig. 5-2, four thumbnails with the titles "Hamburger", "Japanese-style Pasta", "Steak", and "Stew" are displayed in the favorite area.

[0320] Note that in the above example, "partial display" for displaying information such as thumbnails corresponding to some of the favorite search results described in the first modification example (5) may be included in the category. In this case, the terminal 20 can display information such as thumbnails corresponding to some of the favorite search results based on the selection of the category "partial display".

[0321] Also, in relation to the content described in the first modification example (5), it is also possible to display information such as thumbnails corresponding to some of the favorite search results by default. In this case, some users may feel inconvenient if only a part of the content is displayed. Therefore, in the category, "All Display" for displaying information such as thumbnails corresponding to all the favorite search results may be included. In this case, based on the selection of the category "All Display", the terminal 20 can display information such as thumbnails corresponding to all the favorite search results.

[0322] <Processing> In the processing of this embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, in S120 of FIGS. 1-9, the control unit 11, based on the favorite data of the account management data corresponding to the application ID of user A.A in the account management database 157B and the data stored in the search engine database 155, by way of example and not limitation, transmits favorite information including a favorite ID, corresponding link information, corresponding thumbnail, corresponding category, and favorite date and time to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14. In response to this, the control unit 21 stores the received favorite information in the storage unit 28.

[0323] FIG. 5-3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of category-based display processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. This processing is, by way of example and not limitation, a process that is executed in the background after the search screen is displayed on the display unit 24 until the search screen is closed.

[0324] The control unit 21 determines whether an input by the user for displaying a category list has been detected (A4110). If it is determined that no input has been detected (A4110: NO), the control unit 21 waits as it is. If it is determined that an input has been detected (A4110: YES), the control unit 21 performs category list display processing (A4120). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, based on the category setting information received in advance from the server 10, a category list is displayed within the search screen.

[0325] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether an input for selecting a category from the displayed category list has been detected (A4130). If it is determined that no input has been detected (A4130: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to A4170. If it is determined that an input has been detected (A4130: YES), the control unit 21 displays a list of thumbnails included in the selected category among the favorite search results on the search screen (A4140).

[0326] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether an input to return to the category list has been detected (A4150). If it is determined that no input has been detected (A4150: NO), the control unit 21 waits as it is. If it is determined that an input has been detected (A4150: YES), the control unit 21 returns to the display of the category list (S4160).

[0327] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether an input to close the category list has been detected (A4170). If it is determined that no input has been detected (A4170: NO), the control unit 21 returns the process to A4130. If it is determined that an input has been detected (A4170: YES), the control unit 21 hides the display of the category list and then returns the process to A4110.

[0328] <Effect of the Fifth Embodiment> In this embodiment, information such as thumbnails (not limited thereto, an example of the first information) is included in the first category. The terminal 20 displays, in the talk room, a button for displaying information such as thumbnails included in the first category (not limited thereto, an example of the first display) and a button for displaying information such as thumbnails included in a second category different from the first category (not limited thereto, an example of the second display), and based on an input to the button for displaying information such as thumbnails included in the first category, shows a configuration for displaying information such as thumbnails included in the first category on the display unit 24. As an example of the effects of the embodiments obtained by such a configuration, based on the input by the user of the terminal for the first display related to the first category, the first information included in the first category can be displayed, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0329] <Fifth Modification Example> Although related to the fourth modification example, based on the fact that a search term related to a category has been input by the user of the terminal 20 into the search term input area, among the favorite information stored in the favorite data of that user, the favorite information corresponding to the search results included in that category may be selected and displayed in the favorite area.

[0330] By way of example and not limitation, when a user of the terminal 20 inputs a search term "recipe" into the search term input area, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 selects favorite information whose corresponding category is "recipe". Then, the control unit 21 can cause information such as a thumbnail included in the selected favorite information to be displayed in the favorite area.

[0331] Also, in this case, an identification word for identifying a category for displaying information such as a thumbnail for displaying search results included in a specific category may be defined. By way of example and not limitation, an identification word such as the word "♯" can be defined as the identification word for identifying a category. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, when a user of the terminal 20 inputs a search term "♯recipe" into the search term input area, the terminal 20 selects favorite information whose corresponding category is "recipe". Then, the control unit 21 can cause information such as a thumbnail included in the selected favorite information to be displayed in the favorite area. Note that the identification word is not limited to "♯" and may be other words.

[0332] In this case, in addition to the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displaying information such as thumbnails based on the favorite information selected based on the search term related to the category input to the search term input area, the search results related to the search term input to the search term input area may be displayed in the search result list area.

[0333] As described above, it is also possible to include "display all" or "display part" etc. in the category. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, when search terms such as "♯part" or "♯partial display" are input, partial display may be performed, and when search terms such as "♯all" or "♯display all" are input, all display may be performed.

[0334] <Display screen> FIG. 5-4 is a diagram showing an example of the screen transition of the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this modified example. The left side of FIG. 5-4 is the same screen as the left side of FIG. 5-2, but the category list button B31 is not displayed in the favorite area of the search screen SW. In this example, a state where the word "♯recipe" is input to the search term input area SIR is shown. When the execution button B2 is tapped in this state, by way of example and not limitation, the display on the right side of FIG. 5-4 is made.

[0335] Specifically, based on the input of the word "♯recipe", the favorite information corresponding to the category "recipe" is selected, and as a result, among the plurality of thumbnails displayed in the favorite area on the left side of FIG. 5-4, the thumbnail with the title "Hamburger", the thumbnail with the title "Japanese-style Pasta", the thumbnail with the title "Steak", and the thumbnail with the title "Stew" Four thumbnails are displayed in the favorite area.

[0336] In this modified example, based on the fact that the first search term related to the category has been input by the user of the terminal 20 into the search term input area (not limited, an example of the first area), among the information such as the thumbnail stored in association with the user of the terminal 20, the information such as the thumbnail for displaying the search results included in the category is displayed on the display unit 24. As an example of the effect of the modified example obtained by such a configuration, not by way of limitation but by way of example, based on the fact that the user of the terminal has input the first search term related to the category into the first area, among the first information stored in association with the user of the terminal, the first information for displaying the search results included in the category is displayed on the display unit of the terminal. As a result, it becomes possible to smoothly display the search results related to the first search term related to the category, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0337] Also, in this case, the search term related to the category can include a term such as "♯" (not limited, an example of the identification term for identifying the category). As an example of the effect of the modified example obtained by such a configuration, devices such as terminals and servers can recognize that they have been instructed by the user to display the first information for displaying the search results included in the category based on the identification term for identifying the category.

[0338] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiments, an example of displaying the search screen on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 by applying the method (A) has been shown, but it is not limited to this. The method (B) described above may be applied to display the search screen on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20.

[0339] (2) In the above embodiments, the server 10 is set to perform the favorite registration, but it is not limited to this. Specifically, the terminal 20 may perform the favorite registration.

[0340] In this case, as an example rather than a limitation, the terminal 20 can store favorite data in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 without acquiring favorite information from the server 10 as in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, as an example rather than a limitation, the terminal 20 can perform favorite registration to store and update favorite data. Then, the terminal 20 can display a search screen based on the latest favorite data stored in the storage unit 28.

[0341] As an example rather than a limitation, taking the search and favorite processing described in FIG. 4-3 as an example, based on detecting a favorite input for the search result (A2150: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can, instead of the step of A2160, perform favorite registration (corresponding to the step of S2150 in the processing of the server 10) for the search result. Note that, in this case, as an example rather than a limitation, the steps of S2140 to S2160 in the processing of the server 10 can be omitted.

[0342] Also, in this case, as one method, the terminal 20 can perform a process of generating a thumbnail or content corresponding to a favorite search result based on the search result list received from the server 10 and store it in the storage unit 28. In this case, as an example rather than a limitation, when performing the above-described favorite registration or afterwards, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can perform a thumbnail generation process or a content generation process, and store the generated thumbnail or content in the storage unit 28 in association with a data ID or the like corresponding to the favorite search result. Note that the generated thumbnail or content may or may not be stored in the favorite data in association with the favorite ID.

[0343] Also, as another method, when the server 10 transmits the search result list to the terminal 20 in S2130 of FIG. 4-3, it also transmits the thumbnail and content corresponding to each search result. Then, the terminal 20 may store the thumbnail and content corresponding to each of these search results in the storage unit 28 in association with a data ID or the like. By doing so, the terminal 20 can extract the thumbnail and content corresponding to the search results that it has made the above-mentioned favorite registration and liked from the thumbnails and content stored in the storage unit 28.

[0344] The same applies to the case of favoring search results based on content received from other terminals 20.

[0345] (3) In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the search term input area (not limited, an example of the first area) is set as an area different from the content input area (not limited, an example of the second area where content is input), but it is not limited to this. On the contrary, the search term input area may be a shared input area with the content input area.

[0346] In this case, on the device side, it is necessary to determine whether the input word input in the input area is a search term or a content input word. As one method, a method of defining an identifier for identifying that it is a search term based on the same concept as the identifier for identifying the above-mentioned category can be considered. In this case, not limited but by way of example, words such as "?" or "!" can be defined as the identifier. By doing so, when a word including these identifiers is input, it can be determined that it is a search term.

[0347] Note that instead of defining an identifier for the search term, an identifier may be defined for the content input word. Also, different identifiers may be defined for both the search term and the content input word, respectively.

[0348] As another method, the search term and the content input term may be identified according to the mode of operation on the execution button after the search term is input. By way of example and not limitation, if the execution button is pressed within a set time (by way of example and not limitation, within 2 seconds), it is determined as the content input term. On the other hand, if the execution button is pressed for a time exceeding the set time (by way of example and not limitation, exceeding 2 seconds), it can be determined as the search term.

[0349] Also, among other things, by way of example and not limitation, · The number of times the execution button is pressed within the set time · The type of other button pressed together with the execution button · The direction in which the execution button is operated etc., may be used to identify the search term and the content input term.

[0350] Note that in the above case, the content input area may not be provided separately, but the content input area provided at a position such as the lower part of the display screen exemplified in the above-described display screen may be left as it is.

[0351] In this embodiment, the search term input area (by way of example and not limitation, an example of the first area) shows a configuration including an area where the content displayed in the talk room is input. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, since the first area where the search term is input and the area where the content displayed in the chat room is input can be shared, the user does not need to distinguish between the input areas, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0352] (4) In the above embodiment, in addition to the information regarding the favorite and the information of the search result list based on the search term input in the search term input area, by way of example and not limitation, the terminal 20 may display information regarding the search result recommended for the user of the terminal 20 (hereinafter referred to as "recommended information").

[0353] This recommended information may be expressed, for example but not limited to, as information regarding recommendations of search results, information for recommending search results to a user, and the like. Also, the recommended information can, for example but not limited to, function as information for displaying search results and information for associating information for displaying search results with the user of the terminal.

[0354] As one method, a method of displaying recommended information based on search results that the user of terminal 20 likes can be considered. For example but not limited to, the control unit 11 of the server 10 targets the information stored in the search engine database 155 and, based on an index value such as the degree of similarity with the information corresponding to the search results that the user of this terminal 20 likes, transmits a thumbnail corresponding to highly relevant search results to the terminal 20 via the communication I / F 14. Then, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can cause the received thumbnail to be displayed in a recommended area, which is an area within the search screen and is different from the favorite area and the search result list area.

[0355] Also, as another method, a method of displaying recommended information based on the history of the user's past in-room searches on the terminal 20 can be considered. For example but not limited to, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines search results whose number of searches or frequency is equal to or greater than (or exceeds) a set value based on the history of the user's past in-room searches on the terminal 20, and transmits a thumbnail corresponding to the search results to the terminal 20 via the communication I / F 14. Then, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can cause the received thumbnail to be displayed in the recommended area.

[0356] <Display Screen> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the screen transition displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this modification. In FIG. 6, a recommended area including the characters "Recommendations for You" is displayed below the favorite area within the search screen. In this example, thumbnails corresponding to search results recommended for user A.A are displayed in the recommended area based on the search results favorited by user A.A, past search histories, and the like.

[0357] Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, as thumbnails corresponding to recommended search results related to the category "Recipe", a thumbnail with the title "Western Salad" and a thumbnail with the title "Butter Chicken Curry" are displayed, and as a thumbnail corresponding to a recommended search result related to the category "Video", a thumbnail with the title "Beautiful Skin Video" is displayed.

[0358] In this state, by way of example and not limitation, when the thumbnail of "Butter Chicken Curry" among the thumbnails displayed in the recommended area is tapped, the display in the center of FIG. 6 is made by way of example and not limitation. In this example, based on the internal link information corresponding to the tapped thumbnail, an internal page in the messaging application including the search results for "Butter Chicken Curry" is displayed below the area where the search term input area and the like in the search screen are displayed.

[0359] Also, among the displayed internal pages, the favorite button B21 described above is displayed in the upper right part of the image of "Butter Chicken Curry". In this example, since user A.A has not favorited the search results for "Butter Chicken Curry", the favorite button B21 is displayed in an uncolored state.

[0360] When this favorite button B21 is tapped, the search results for "Butter Chicken Curry" are favorited. Specifically, the above-described favorite process is executed, and as a result, the display as shown on the right side of FIG. 6 is made. Specifically, a thumbnail corresponding to the search results for "Butter Chicken Curry" is additionally displayed at the top part of the favorite area within the search screen.

[0361] Also, in this example, in order for user A.A to easily recognize the newly favorite search results, the above-mentioned new mark is displayed at the upper left corner of the thumbnail corresponding to the search results of the added "Butter Chicken Curry" so that it can be easily recognized by user A.A. Note that it is not essential to display the new mark, and it may not be displayed.

[0362] Also, as the search results of "Butter Chicken Curry" have been marked as a favorite, the display of the thumbnail of "Butter Chicken Curry" that was previously displayed in the recommended area on the left screen of FIG. 6 has been deleted from the recommended area.

[0363] (5) In the above embodiment, instead of the server 10 performing a search based on the search engine database 155 in the in-room search process, it may access an external server each time to obtain external information and return the list of search results to the terminal 20.

[0364] Also, in this case, for the search results favored by one user, information such as the content of the search results, link information, and thumbnails may be newly added and registered in the search engine database 155.

[0365] In this case, the server 10 can use the search results added and registered in the search engine database 155 for subsequent in-room searches. That is, when a similar search is performed by another user, the server 10 can return the search results added and registered in the search engine database 155 to the terminal 20 of that user. Also, in this case, the server 10 can use the search results added and registered in the search engine database 155 for subsequent favorite registrations. That is, when it is desired that the search results added and registered in the search engine database 155 be favored by another user, the server 10 can associate the registered link information, thumbnails, and other information about the search results with that other user and perform a favorite registration.

[0366] In the above embodiment, an execution button for executing in-room search is provided within the search screen, but this may not be provided. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, each time a word is input into the search term input area of the terminal 20, the input word is transmitted to the server 10. Then, the server 10 can return to the terminal 20 search results related to the input word received from the terminal 20.

[0367] Also, in this case, the server 10 may return to the terminal 20 keywords related to the input word based on the ranking of the search results and the like. Note that this keyword may be considered a type of search result or may be considered different from the search result.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0368] 1 Communication system 10 Server 20 Terminal 30 Network

Claims

1. A program executed by a terminal that displays a chat room including content transmitted and received at least with a first terminal, receiving, by a communication unit of the terminal, first information regarding a first search result retrieved by the first terminal; displaying, in the chat room, a first display regarding associating a first content based on the first information and second information for displaying the first search result, which is displayed in association with the first content, with a user of the terminal; displaying, in an area associated with a search term input area, which is different from an area where the content of the chat room is displayed, third information corresponding to the first search result, based on an association between the second information and the user of the terminal by an input by the user of the terminal to the first display; displaying, in an area associated with the search term input area, a second search result retrieved based on a search term input by the user of the terminal to the search term input area, which is executed by the terminal.

2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the third information is displayed in a first area associated with the search term input area, wherein the second search result is displayed in a second area different from the first area and associated with the search term input area, and displaying, in the first area, fourth information corresponding to the second search result, based on an input by the user of the terminal to a second display regarding associating the second search result, which is displayed in association with the second search result, with the user of the terminal, which is executed by the terminal.

3. The program according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the terminal executes displaying a third display regarding an association between the second information and the user of the terminal, in association with the third information.

4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the terminal executes making the third display non-displayed based on establishment of a set condition.

5. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the terminal executes displaying the first search result on a display unit of the terminal, based on an input by the user of the terminal to the third information.

6. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Based on the input by the user of the terminal for the first content, the terminal executes to display the first search result on the display unit of the terminal.

7. An information processing method of a terminal for displaying a chat room including content transmitted and received at least between the first terminal, comprising: receiving, by the communication unit of the terminal, first information regarding a first search result retrieved by the first terminal; displaying, in the chat room, a first display regarding associating a first content based on the first information and second information for displaying the first search result, which is displayed in association with the first content, with the user of the terminal; displaying, in a region associated with a search term input region, which is different from the region where the content of the chat room is displayed, third information corresponding to the first search result, based on the fact that the second information and the user of the terminal are associated by an input by the user of the terminal for the first display; displaying, in the region associated with the search term input region, a second search result retrieved based on a search term input by the user of the terminal in the search term input region.

8. A terminal for displaying a chat room including content transmitted and received at least between the first terminal, comprising: a communication unit that receives first information regarding a first search result retrieved by the first terminal; displaying, in the chat room, a first display regarding associating a first content based on the first information and second information for displaying the first search result, which is displayed in association with the first content, with the user of the terminal; displaying, in a region associated with a search term input region, which is different from the region where the content of the chat room is displayed, third information corresponding to the first search result, based on the fact that the second information and the user of the terminal are associated by an input by the user of the terminal for the first display; a display unit that displays, in the region associated with the search term input region, a second search result retrieved based on a search term input by the user of the terminal in the search term input region.

Images